How can the government enhance availability of indigenous natural medicine as answers to common health problems in Nigeria? It is by funding research institutes such as the Nigeria Insitute of Medical research (NIMR) to have them determine scientifically the safety and efficacy of natural medicine products.
This was the common ground agreed upon by representatives of NIMR and Paxherbals at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two bodies. They agreed to work on solutions to all diseases including HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Sickle-cell disorder, Diabetes and Hypertension, among others. It is a Joint venture.
The groups, represented by NIMR Director-General (DG) , Dr Babatunde Salako and a Director, Reverend Anselm Adodo, agreed on working together to achieve the objective of research continuum in natural drug discovery, clinical verification, observation and analysis of paxherbal products, especially those registered with NAFDAC.
The MoU has the following terms: “Both parties shall remain distinct and separate entities in the operation of the joint Venture; Paxherbals shall volunteer regular information to NIMR on various medicinal plants used locally in Edo State and other parts of the country, and indicate potentials for their cultivation. Paxherbal shall source raw materials as requied by the relevant section of NIMR for drug preparation and development. Paxherbal shall submit both her finished products and raw materials for any phytochemical and toxicity analysis that will give valuable information for drug discovery.
“Also, NIMR shall contribute its technical and administrative expertise to Paxherbals in drug standardization and clinical trials of Paxherbals medicines. Both animal and human trials will be allowed, following laid down procedures. Both parties shall work out a format for exchange of staff for the purpose of knowledge acquisition and transfer of technology. Each party shal etain al its intellectual property rights.
“Both parties shall engage in joint manufacturing, standardisation of some herbal medicines based on conditions agreed to by both parties. As both parties shall set up a herbal unit within the Institute premises under the supervision of a trained physician for the purpose of esearch into the clinical use of NAFDCA approved herbal products. And both parties shall engage in joint proposal writings to attract local and foreign funding for specific research projects.”
Adodo said: ‘It is a challenge for us to proffer indigenous herbal solutions to diseases known to man. NIMR as a research institute is up to the task. We are like a middle-man that is ready to bring forward hidden herbal medicines to this institute for proper standardisation, and onward move to international scene. People have a great confidence and trust in Paxherbals. And I am personally saddened when a custodian of herbal solutions dies. It is like a whole library building going up in flames. We are on the right path. All should be free to bring their discoveries and herbal solutions to diseases forward and I can assure that their intellectual property will be protecyed.”
Dr Salako assured that there will be no hanky-panky with, “any organisation involved with NIMR. Trust is important to us and we will observe the rules to the letter. I want to state as well that NIMR will not hesitate to terminate any MoU once it suspects any under dealing. We will relate with every organisation on TM research on merits without fear or favour. We already have a partnership with the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM) headed by Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade. Each group stands on its merits with us. NIMR would abide by the details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between it and the Pax Herbal,”he said.
This was the common ground agreed upon by representatives of NIMR and Paxherbals at the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two bodies. They agreed to work on solutions to all diseases including HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Sickle-cell disorder, Diabetes and Hypertension, among others. It is a Joint venture.
The groups, represented by NIMR Director-General (DG) , Dr Babatunde Salako and a Director, Reverend Anselm Adodo, agreed on working together to achieve the objective of research continuum in natural drug discovery, clinical verification, observation and analysis of paxherbal products, especially those registered with NAFDAC.
The MoU has the following terms: “Both parties shall remain distinct and separate entities in the operation of the joint Venture; Paxherbals shall volunteer regular information to NIMR on various medicinal plants used locally in Edo State and other parts of the country, and indicate potentials for their cultivation. Paxherbal shall source raw materials as requied by the relevant section of NIMR for drug preparation and development. Paxherbal shall submit both her finished products and raw materials for any phytochemical and toxicity analysis that will give valuable information for drug discovery.
“Also, NIMR shall contribute its technical and administrative expertise to Paxherbals in drug standardization and clinical trials of Paxherbals medicines. Both animal and human trials will be allowed, following laid down procedures. Both parties shall work out a format for exchange of staff for the purpose of knowledge acquisition and transfer of technology. Each party shal etain al its intellectual property rights.
“Both parties shall engage in joint manufacturing, standardisation of some herbal medicines based on conditions agreed to by both parties. As both parties shall set up a herbal unit within the Institute premises under the supervision of a trained physician for the purpose of esearch into the clinical use of NAFDCA approved herbal products. And both parties shall engage in joint proposal writings to attract local and foreign funding for specific research projects.”
Adodo said: ‘It is a challenge for us to proffer indigenous herbal solutions to diseases known to man. NIMR as a research institute is up to the task. We are like a middle-man that is ready to bring forward hidden herbal medicines to this institute for proper standardisation, and onward move to international scene. People have a great confidence and trust in Paxherbals. And I am personally saddened when a custodian of herbal solutions dies. It is like a whole library building going up in flames. We are on the right path. All should be free to bring their discoveries and herbal solutions to diseases forward and I can assure that their intellectual property will be protecyed.”
Dr Salako assured that there will be no hanky-panky with, “any organisation involved with NIMR. Trust is important to us and we will observe the rules to the letter. I want to state as well that NIMR will not hesitate to terminate any MoU once it suspects any under dealing. We will relate with every organisation on TM research on merits without fear or favour. We already have a partnership with the Nigerian Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM) headed by Arch Bishop Magnus Atilade. Each group stands on its merits with us. NIMR would abide by the details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between it and the Pax Herbal,”he said.
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