Nigeria Develops Herbal Drugs For Ebola, Malaria, Sickle Cell


The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development
(NIPRD) says it has developed six herbal products for the treatment of
Ebola, malaria and other diseases.
Karniyus Gamaliel, NIPRD
director-general, made this known while presenting the scorecard of his
eight-year tenure (2009-2017) in Abuja on Friday.

He said
‘NIPRIBOL’, a fixed dose combination drug was developed by the institute
for the treatment of Ebola virus disease, adding that the institute had
completed the phase I study of the drug.
Gamaniel said the
institute had also developed ‘NIPRIMAL’ for the treatment of
uncomplicated malaria, stating that the drug was also safe for use by
pregnant women.
Other drugs developed are: ‘NIPRIMUNE’ an
immunostimulant which can also be used to manage HIV in Nigeria and
‘NIPRIFAN’ for the treatment of fungal skin infection.
He said the NIPRD oil can be used as a nasal decongestant, insect repellant, air freshner, and anti-inflammatory agent.
Gamaniel, however, said excessive use of the oil could cause irritation.
“The
institute has also developed ‘NIPRISAN’ for the management of sickle
cell anaemia. We are currently concluding plans to carry out commercial
production and distribution of this product,” he said.
“We have
also ensured the introduction of traditional herbal medicine into the
national health system and established partnerships with local and
international organisations.
“The core competence of NIPRD is in
the development of phytomedicines from indigenous plants and products,
clinical trials, among others; we are a quality assured institute.”
NAN
reports that the institute was established in 1987 under the ministry
of science and technology and moved to the ministry of health in 2001.

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