The raging controversy over the treatment of coronavirus (Covid-19) has taken a new turn as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has kicked-against the importation of the Covid-Organics (CVO) herbal concoction from Madagascar, read their statement next:

THIS IMPORTATION OF COVID-ORGANICS (CVO) FROM MADAGASCAR IS SIMPLY DISTASTEFUL!

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has received the news that the Federal Government of Nigeria is about to import a herbal concoction called COVID Organics (CVO) from Madagascar with utter disbelief. While in principle we would not mind Nigerian government importing any new drug that is proven to cure COVID-19 or indeed any other disease for which we have neither the capacity, nor the technology to produce locally, we are totally appalled that Nigeria is about to spend scarce foreign exchange to import ‘COAL INTO NEWCASTLE’. Even if we are not going to pay for this, it is thoroughly disgraceful that a country that should be the leader of Africa, with the largest GDP will allow itself to be dragged this low. Nigeria has about 174 Universities (43 Federal, 52 State and 79 private), 20 Faculties of Pharmacy and about 69 Federal-Funded Research Institutes (including National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development and the Na-tional Institute for Medical Research) while Madagascar has only 6 Universities, 1 Faculty of Pharmacy and 9 Research Centers!!!

Nigeria has some of the best scientists (Pharmaceutical, Medical, Biochemical, Biological etc.) in the world who have done so much work on natural and herbal medicines. Nigeria has developed a pharmacopeia of natural and herbal products and has one of the richest flora and fauna – potent sources of phytomedicines. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, a number of them have raised their voices that they have herbal and natural products that can be used to treat or manage COVID-19. Some have patents. Many herbal companies and producers have announced specifically that they have herbal formulations that can do what this ‘inven-tion’ from Madagascar can do.

We have raised our voices severally that the Federal Government should review these claims and help put them through clinical evaluation as most of these producers cannot afford to conduct clinical trials. We have recommended that a portion of the nearly 25 Billion Naira donated/allocated for the COVID-19 pandemic should be dedicated for local research and development. But our Government has remained essentially silent only waiting to participate in WHO sponsored or mandated trials. We have been told that Nigeria is partici-pating in the WHO solidarity trial, but nothing on trying our own inventions and formulations.

Now we want to import COVID Organics. from Madagascar to try? Why are we like this? If the world can sup-ply us synthetic and chemically-sophisticated medicines which we apparently lack the technology to pro-duce, why must we wait for the World to supply us herbal formulations which we can easily make and which we have similar products.

We urge our Government to save Nigerian Pharmaceutical Scientists and other scientists from the shame of having our country import and try herbal remedies which God has given us in abundance and some of which our grandfathers and grandmothers have used for ages. Let us try our own local formulations before we try COVID Organics or any other imported remedy. Every well-meaning nation has been in a race to find cures, remedies and other medical supplies used for COVID-19, while we seem to wait for other nations to solve our problems. There is much talk but little action. This dependency mentality needs to change and now is the time. We must seize this opportunity to look inwards, build confidence on our abilities, competences and re-orientate our national economic philosophy from import dependency to export driven. And Nigeria can beat India and China in the production and export of herbal products if anyone is willing to lead us down this part.

Pharm (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa OFR, MON, NPOM, FPSN

President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria

Source: http://opinions.ng/covid-organics-distasteful-psn/

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

Which one una don produce sef?

Psn show us your contribution to stopping covid. We buy drugs and we read that most of them are made in India or other countries in europe. You guys are just importers of pharmaceutical products hare.

Madagascar is doing exactly what we Africans dont need at this time "Making a Mockery of ourselves".
No wonder world laugh at us.
We are the most unproductive people on this planet. No hope

nosiebaba:
Psn show us your contribution to stopping covid. We buy drugs and we read that most of them are made in India or other countries in europe. You guys are just importers of pharmaceutical products hare.

Many Nigerian Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical scientists have come out with claims of potential covid 19 cure,the only obstacles is a government funded clinical trial but alas the government is only interested in an already made product from ordinary Madagascar.
This our country can never get better.

Opinionated:
The raging controversy over the treatment of coronavirus (Covid-19) has taken a new turn as the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has kicked-against the importation of the Covid-Organics (CVO) herbal concoction from Madagascar, read their statement next:

THIS IMPORTATION OF COVID-ORGANICS (CVO) FROM MADAGASCAR IS SIMPLY DISTASTEFUL!

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has received the news that the Federal Government of Nigeria is about to import a herbal concoction called COVID Organics (CVO) from Madagascar with utter disbelief. While in principle we would not mind Nigerian government importing any new drug that is proven to cure COVID-19 or indeed any other disease for which we have neither the capacity, nor the technology to produce locally, we are totally appalled that Nigeria is about to spend scarce foreign exchange to import ‘COAL INTO NEWCASTLE’. Even if we are not going to pay for this, it is thoroughly disgraceful that a country that should be the leader of Africa, with the largest GDP will allow itself to be dragged this low. Nigeria has about 174 Universities (43 Federal, 52 State and 79 private), 20 Faculties of Pharmacy and about 69 Federal-Funded Research Institutes (including National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research & Development and the Na-tional Institute for Medical Research) while Madagascar has only 6 Universities, 1 Faculty of Pharmacy and 9 Research Centers!!!

Nigeria has some of the best scientists (Pharmaceutical, Medical, Biochemical, Biological etc.) in the world who have done so much work on natural and herbal medicines. Nigeria has developed a pharmacopeia of natural and herbal products and has one of the richest flora and fauna – potent sources of phytomedicines. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, a number of them have raised their voices that they have herbal and natural products that can be used to treat or manage COVID-19. Some have patents. Many herbal companies and producers have announced specifically that they have herbal formulations that can do what this ‘inven-tion’ from Madagascar can do.

We have raised our voices severally that the Federal Government should review these claims and help put them through clinical evaluation as most of these producers cannot afford to conduct clinical trials. We have recommended that a portion of the nearly 25 Billion Naira donated/allocated for the COVID-19 pandemic should be dedicated for local research and development. But our Government has remained essentially silent only waiting to participate in WHO sponsored or mandated trials. We have been told that Nigeria is partici-pating in the WHO solidarity trial, but nothing on trying our own inventions and formulations.

Now we want to import COVID Organics. from Madagascar to try? Why are we like this? If the world can sup-ply us synthetic and chemically-sophisticated medicines which we apparently lack the technology to pro-duce, why must we wait for the World to supply us herbal formulations which we can easily make and which we have similar products.

We urge our Government to save Nigerian Pharmaceutical Scientists and other scientists from the shame of having our country import and try herbal remedies which God has given us in abundance and some of which our grandfathers and grandmothers have used for ages. Let us try our own local formulations before we try COVID Organics or any other imported remedy. Every well-meaning nation has been in a race to find cures, remedies and other medical supplies used for COVID-19, while we seem to wait for other nations to solve our problems. There is much talk but little action. This dependency mentality needs to change and now is the time. We must seize this opportunity to look inwards, build confidence on our abilities, competences and re-orientate our national economic philosophy from import dependency to export driven. And Nigeria can beat India and China in the production and export of herbal products if anyone is willing to lead us down this part.

Pharm (Mazi) Sam Ohuabunwa OFR, MON, NPOM, FPSN

President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria

Source: http://opinions.ng/covid-organics-distasteful-psn/

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

You can bring this up some other time...not now ...right now all we need is a cure as far as it has no harm and its trusted....but all the same these guys are right about what they said...the Nigeria government should invest more into ourselves than always importing....madagascar no get 2 head na

As I expected... No surprises

Make una shut up...

All una sabi na to dey envy and drag with Doctors?

Imagine you saw the opportunity earlier and produced your own herbal cure...

No let me stone una my shoe o

Ok

nosiebaba:
Psn show us your contribution to stopping covid. We buy drugs and we read that most of them are made in India or other countries in europe. You guys are just importers of pharmaceutical products hare.

These countries have government's support while ours don't

naijaboy756:
Make una shut up...

All una sabi na to dey envy and drag with Doctors?

Imagine you saw the opportunity earlier and produced your own herbal cure...

No let me stone una my shoe o

Most Doctors exhibit egoisms right from time hence the consistent fight. Do you often see or hear Pharmacist overseas fighting with doctors like we experience over here?. The government has bluntly refused to sponsor research but would wait till dying minute because they want to cash cow