FIIRO, Pax herbals sign MoU to boost research

The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with Pax Herbals, to increase research in herbal medicines.The Director, Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, Fr. Anselm Adodo disclosed this yesterday in Lagos.

He said the partnership was necessary to raise awareness in research and development.He stressed the importance of making Nigerian plants to serve as foods and medicine, with a view to commercialising the products.

Adodo said the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo is the only university in Nigeria, which is in the process of introducing a Bachelor’s Degree programme in Herbal medicine.

According to him: “A private University in Edo State, Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, is also set to introduce a higher certificate programme in herbal medicine.

He disclosed that the move was driven by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Aigbokhan, based on the curriculum that he developed.Adodo explained that the University of Ibadan had already commenced a Master’s degree and a Ph.D in African Traditional Medicine at its Institute of African Studies.

Also, a course in herbal medicine has been introduced into the Pharmacy Department of the university.He announced that Pax Herbal had entered into a pact with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), for a clinical trial of the Pax herbal malaria medicine called Malatreat.

The drug is awaiting ethical clearance from health regulatory authorities.Adodo lamented the neglect of the area, especially the dearth of literature on herbal medicines from Nigeria and documentation of Nigerian plants.