A University of ilorin don, Professor Isaac Olusola Aremu of the department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences has called of federal government to make a policy on the domestication of herbal pharmacy section to run alongside with orthodox pharmacy to enable the patient’s choice in all our hospitals as it is done in China.
Speaking at the 252nd inaugural lecture of the University titled ” Drug Formulation as Essential Construct For Safe Delivery”
declared that the establishment of Pharmaceutical raw materials manufacturing industries, where synthetic and herbal raw materials can be processed for sale to finished products manufacturing industries cannot not be overemphasised saying five years tax waiver should be given to interested investors.
Professor Aremu noted that ” there should be a tripartite arrangement whereby, government will be willing to purchase the non-sponsored patented products from researchers and invariably collaborate with manufacturing industries for translation into commercial products “
According to the University don, ” phase banning of importation of raw materials and finished products, commencing with basic products for the treatment of common ailments like malaria, infectious diseases, haemorrhoids, cough and so on”
Professor Aremu said that a focus in this direction would eventually lead to a reduction in the demand for foreign currency, medicine security, boost our agricultural activities and ultimately a better economy adding that over 1.1 billion dollars is what the Federal government spent annually on Malaria alone (W.H.O,2023) accounting for about 60% of all hospitals visits.
He called on government to develop a change of attitude towards embracing locally raw materials products saying a deliberate effort should be made to collaborate with researchers by way of grants as it is done in developed countries of the world.
Professor Aremu recommended that ” introduction of the collegiate system in all Faculties of Pharmacy in the country, to reflect current realities, so as to run programmes such as B.Sc Herbal medicine, B.Pharm, PharmD amongst other degree programmes as practiced in many countries of the world”
” Setting up of Drug Research and Manufacturing Unit (DRMU) in our home Faculty. This can be achieved through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. This will be a goldmine venture for the University”.
The inaugural lecture attracted dignitaries within and outside the University community.
