The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that no herbal product in Nigeria will receive full approval without undergoing scientifically designed clinical trials to prove its safety and efficacy.
The agency, in partnership with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), is working to develop herbal medicines that meet international standards through evidence-based research and validation.
NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said while Nigerian practitioners possess the expertise to formulate quality herbal remedies, clinical validation remains the key to full approval.
She explained that NAFDAC grants temporary listing approval after safety tests, while full registration valid for five years requires successful clinical trials.
Adeyeye identified high trial costs as a major barrier but noted that only such scientific validation can guarantee consumer safety.
She added that the agency is collaborating with stakeholders and seeking funding support to help herbal producers conduct trials, ensuring their products are safe, effective, and eligible for inclusion in the national herbal formulary.