UNILAG and NAFDAC Call for Scientific Validation and Regulation of African Traditional Medicine
核心洞察
Medical experts at African Traditional Medicine Day warned that "natural" must not be mistaken for "safe," citing risks from toxic plant compounds, heavy metal contamination, and adulteration.
NAFDAC (搜索) emphasized that natural products are not exempt from regulatory requirements, calling for product registration, manufacturing controls, and clinical trials to protect consumers.
A Nigerian Institute of Medical Research study of 46 herbal products found that none passed efficacy tests, underscoring the need for standardization and evidence-based validation.
As the use of herbal medicines continues to play a significant role in healthcare across Africa, medical experts and researchers have warned that "natural" must not be mistaken for "safe," calling for stronger scientific evidence, quality control, and regulation of herbal products. The warning formed part of the issues raised at African Traditional Medicine Day, organised by the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG), in collaboration with the Model Herbal Clinic. The event was held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine (CMUL), Idi-Araba.
Moving from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Evidence
In her welcome address, the Acting Head, Department of Pharmacognosy, Dr. Ifeoma Orabueze, said the theme of the event, "Safe, Effective and Regulated: The Future of Herbal Medicine," was carefully chosen to reflect the key issues that must be addressed for African traditional medicine to gain wider acceptance and become meaningfully integrated into national healthcare systems. She identified scientific validation, safe use, regulation and sustainable development as essential pillars for the future of African Traditional Medicine.
Dr. Orabueze noted that the University's Model Herbal Clinic, established in 2012, was created to provide healthcare services to the community while also serving as a platform for the practical application of knowledge in herbal medicine. She identified proper documentation, product evaluation, manufacturing controls, laboratory controls, facility requirements and post-market surveillance as important components of effective regulation.
"Natural Does Not Always Mean Safe"
Delivering the guest lecture, Chief Dr. Mrs. Olagbende-Dada (Rtd.) examined the effectiveness, safety and future prospects of herbal medicine. She cautioned against the assumption that natural products are automatically safe, stressing that some medicinal plants contain naturally occurring toxic substances. She explained that herbal products could also become hazardous through contamination with heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic and lead, pesticides, microorganisms and aflatoxins arising from poor harvesting, processing or storage practices. She further warned that deliberate adulteration for economic gain remained another potential source of risk.
Chief Dr. Olagbende-Dada emphasised that standardisation must address both the efficacy and safety of herbal products. She added that pharmacovigilance, which is routinely applied to conventional medicines, should also be strengthened in herbal medicine. She observed that the increasing movement towards evidence-based traditional medicine presents an opportunity for Africa to transition from herbal folklore to scientifically supported clinical data.
NAFDAC: Regulation Is Essential
Speaking as a regulator, the Deputy Director (Drug Evaluation and Research) at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC (搜索)), Pharm. Mrs. Ijeoma Ezeka, underscored the importance of regulation in ensuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of herbal medicines. She identified accessibility, affordability, perceived benefits and cultural acceptability as some of the reasons for the widespread use of herbal medicine.
Pharm. Ezeka stressed that "the fact that a product is natural does not exempt it from regulatory requirements." According to her, regulation encompasses areas such as product registration, product listing, manufacturing controls and clinical trials, which are necessary to support scientific validation and protect consumers. She identified contamination, adulteration, misidentification, inconsistent composition and toxicity among the safety concerns that make effective regulation essential, and expressed concern about the production of some herbal medicines in environments where basic hygiene, traceability and manufacturing standards are inadequate.
The Evidence Gap in Efficacy
The adherence to traditional medicine is a double-edged sword in Nigeria. It ensures healthcare is accessible to millions, yet it complicates service delivery due to safety gaps and a lack of formal integration with modern health systems. Up to 90 per cent of people in some rural areas rely solely on herbs, effectively filling the void left by an underfunded or non-existent public health system. A single herbal malaria (搜索) remedy costs around N400 to N2,500, which is often less than orthodox alternatives.
However, research shows that many herbal products are safe but may not be effective. A study conducted by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, covering 46 products, found that not one passed efficacy tests. This can lead to treatment failures, as is often seen, especially in serious diseases such as malaria (搜索). The entire system governing that sector demonstrates a complete lack of standardisation, with dosages unregulated and quality control inconsistent.
Toward Evidence-Based Integration
The government now seems to be moving towards integration, treating traditional healthcare providers as allies rather than rivals. A strategic plan and a code of ethics for practitioners have been unveiled to promote evidence-based practice. The World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre at the University of Lagos College of Medicine is at the forefront of this effort because it houses the African Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science, a body dedicated to developing standards for herbal formulations, quality assurance and toxicological evaluation.
Agencies such as the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (搜索) (NIPRD) are leading commercialisation efforts through a multi-sectoral committee, while NAFDAC (搜索), in partnership with the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, is conducting clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies, including a sickle cell drug now used in more than 40 countries. There is also a strong push to test widely used anti-malarial herbs, such as neem (搜索) and bitter leaf, and harness their potential safely.
The event featured participation from representatives of May & Baker Nigeria Plc (搜索), Mojeaga Health and Osworth Pharmaceutical, among other stakeholders, and featured the presentation of awards to deserving individuals.