Professor Isaac Alemu of the Department of Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ilorin speaks with Tunde Oyekola on the need for production of medicines from local plants and herbs, among others.
Several Your research has delved into the use of local plant extracts such as neem and acalypha to treat several diseases. Do you think that many medicinal plants found in the forests of this country are still unused?
Our forests are rich in many medicinal plants. There are few diseases, including cancer, for which a cure cannot be found in our forests. we are very blessed. For many years, scientists have conducted extensive research on many of these plants, and much research is still ongoing.
Why do you think these plants are not being studied by indigenous pharmacists?
It is a misconception that pharmacists are not engaged in plant research. People in academia and research institutions do many things, depending on their specialty or area of interest. I want to be clear here that some pharmacists are not actually involved in research.
In your first lecture, you recommended the establishment of a pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing industry that could process and sell synthetic and herbal raw materials. Are these not available in Japan?
Currently, there is no organized pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing industry, whether herbal or synthetic, in Nigeria. This is unfortunate. Synthetic pharmaceutical active ingredients require petrochemicals. Without a functioning petrochemical plant in the country, it would be impossible for any investor to venture into this sector. There are significant gaps that need to be filled in this regard. However, the government has focused on the field of herbal medicine development by establishing the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development and the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency. The aim is to bring natural and herbal medicines to the shelves, but the success has not been recorded as expected.
Various studies are being conducted by university pharmacists in Japan, but do you think the results are being utilized by the government, and what advice do you give to the government regarding this?
Many groundbreaking studies have been carried out by pharmaceutical scientists in this country as well. Unfortunately, many of these end up in the publication of research papers without any tangible benefit to humanity. This is the bane of many research works across different disciplines in Nigeria. This is one of the reasons why I recommended in my lectures that patented products should be purchased by the government and passed on to industry. The government will act as a safeguard to allay industry concerns about whether investments in locally discovered products will fail or succeed.
It also recommended phasing out imports of raw materials and finished products, including basic products for the treatment of malaria, infectious diseases, cough suppressants, etc., while Nigeria is seeking opportunities to manufacture these products. Do you think it is ripe?
There is ample opportunity to make locally discovered medicines available for underlying diseases. It will be interesting to know that the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has herbal medicines that are very powerful in the treatment of malaria. The company’s anti-malarial products are already in circulation, but not on a large scale. Our department here at the University of Ilorin has highly effective and scientifically proven recipes to prevent malaria disease in the form of repellents and many herbal remedies that can treat various skin diseases . We have made breakthroughs in the development of herbal medicines that can treat things like simple infections.
Apart from effective herbal medicines, excipients discovered by local pharmacologists are available in large quantities. Capacity was never a challenge. I think the industry’s reluctance to make proper adjustments and adopt research findings has been a major setback. The urge to secure profits on short-term investments keeps businessmen away from establishing imported raw materials.
It has been observed that the prices of medicines have increased significantly in this country, what do you recommend the government do to bring down the high costs?
The high cost of medicines can only be lowered by looking inward. This is why we recommended investing in local raw material development, whether herbal or synthetic. Foreign exchange will continue to affect the prices of imported goods. Apart from this, relying on other countries for medicines is not a safe arrangement. It’s like sitting on a powder keg.
In your speech, you also suggested the domestication of herbal medicines alongside traditional medicines in government hospitals. Do you think herbal medicine is as powerful as orthodox medicine?
Scientifically proven herbal medicine provides the same relief from illness as orthodox medicine. Just because it’s a medicinal herb doesn’t mean it’s less effective. In fact, in some cases, traditional and synthetic medicines, unlike herbal medicines, can cause unpleasant side effects for patients.
How do you think the government should encourage local industry to use local raw materials to manufacture medicines and other products?
I’ve repeated this before. Governments must act as collateral between researchers and industry. A tripartite structure like the one I advocated in my first talk will go a long way in breaking down barriers. Governments either sponsor need-targeted research through grants or purchase breakthrough patented research products for forwarding to industry for commercialization on agreed terms. you need to do.
Do you think that setting up herbal medicine pharmacies and village chemists in health centers and faculties of pharmacy will encourage people to use herbal medicine?
It may be of interest to know that this is already being done at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. And I think members of that community are excited about this.
