FG releases interim report on Madagascar’s drug, says plant grown in Nigeria

While answering a question, Ehanire said initial findings on the Madagascar’s drink touted as possible cure showed that the plant, which is the primary ingredient of the organic drink, is grown in Nigeria.

The minister said, “The preliminary result or analysis of  Madagascar’s  herb  done by the Nigerian Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development shows that it is the same plant called artemisia annua which is grown in farms in Abuja.

“Further research on its efficacy will be conducted when the grant for the research is approved.”

The task force’s National Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu, justified the government’s decision to retain the 10pm to 4am curfew despite the lifting of the ban on interstate travels.

Responding to a question, Aliyu said the strategy adopted by the PTF was to reduce social interactions as much as possible in a manner that had the least adverse effect on the economy.

He said, “When it comes to respiratory tract infection, what we are trying to do is to reduce the frequency of contact between people. So, anything you do that reduces that frequency will help towards reducing the risk of transmission.”

On when the railway would be opened, Aliyu said the sector must put in place the COVID-19 safety measures as was done in the aviation sector for reopening

NAFDAC has approved Madagascar’s initiative that ensured its herbal cure for the Coronavirus pandemic.

National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has approved Madagascar’s initiative that ensured its herbal cure for the Coronavirus pandemic.

This approval was made by the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, today 14th May, 2020.

“We are proud of them (Madagascar). They appreciate what they have. We do not. She said.

“All the herbs they have and are using, we have them. But we do not use them the way they are doing.

“They appreciate their brains and use them. We must do same here if we want to develop as a nation,” she told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.

She regretted that Nigeria had consistently depended on what others were bringing to it, and emphasised the need to look inward for solutions to our concerns.

Adeyeye said that the novel Coronavirus had jolted the country, and challenged those in authority to make the health sector a major priority.

“COVID-19 has slapped us in the face. It has kicked us back and front. We are now facing the stark realities of being insecure.

“There is drug insecurity, medical devices insecurity, test kits insecurity; we have always depended on other nations for everything.

“India, for instance, is not supplying medicals to us again because they are thinking about their own people.

“We have been using Dogonyaro (Neem tree) for ages. Some other African countries have developed their herbal remedies.

“Which one can we claim to have developed in Nigeria? What we are looking for in Madagascar, we may have it in our backyard,’’ the director general said.

Nigeria is set to receive Republic of Madagascar's herbal drug 'COVID Organics (COV)', which the country's leaders said cures and prevents Coronavirus.

The Nation reported that Nigeria’s consignment has been sent to Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja. It was gathered that African countries were divided into zones for ease of transportation, leading to freighting of Nigeria’s consignments to Equatorial Guinea.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has been notified of the offer from Madagascar and arrangements are being made to bring Nigeria’s allocation to Abuja.

While some health officials are pushing for clinical trial of Covid Organics before being used in the country, there is reportedly pressure on the Federal Government by different medical and scientific organizations to allow the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) subject the drug to further analysis.

The Nation source said;

“The consignments of the drug are being distributed to different countries in Africa based on zonal grouping. We have been told that Nigeria’s consignment is in Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja.

“When the herbal drink is brought into the country, we will know the next step. But some medical and scientific organisations are pressurising that the drug be subjected to clinical trial.

“Some countries like Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea have subscribed to the drugs. Also, while South Africa has offered to conduct a scientific analysis of the drug, Senegal said it will subject it to clinical trial.

“I can assure you that the Federal Government will take the best decision on the drug in the overall interest of Nigerians.

“Before any food or drug can be administered in this country, there are certain protocols that must be followed. The government will not circumvent these protocols. We want solution; we want the best for Nigerians.”

Recall that on April 28, the Chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha said the nation was ready to give Madagascar’s herbal drink a trial.

Mustapha said at that time;

“I want to assure you that whatever is happening in the world, we are mindful of it and we are keeping a tab.

“I was reading of the experiences in Madagascar– of why everybody is drinking some solutions that have been prepared. This morning I was sharing with my wife, and I told her that probably I would request that Mr. President allow us import a plane load for a trial.

“We are all navigating an unchartered cause. Nobody has ever been on this road. So, every attempt to find solution that would bring succour to our people, be rest assured that this task force is very responsible and we would do everything to ensure that we get what will benefit our people, what will help them in the processes that we find ourselves today.”

This is coming after the World Health Organisation (WHO) maintained that the efficacy of the drug was unproven.