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Nigeria is set to receive Republic of Madagascar's herbal
drug 'COVID Organics (COV)', which the country's leaders said cures and
prevents Coronavirus.
The Nation reported that Nigeria’s consignment has been sent
to Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja. It was gathered
that African countries were divided into zones for ease of transportation,
leading to freighting of Nigeria’s consignments to Equatorial Guinea.
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has been
notified of the offer from Madagascar and arrangements are being made to bring
Nigeria’s allocation to Abuja.
While some health officials are pushing for clinical trial
of Covid Organics before being used in the country, there is reportedly
pressure on the Federal Government by different medical and scientific
organizations to allow the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and
Development (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration
and Control (NAFDAC) subject the drug to further analysis.
The Nation source said;
“The consignments of the drug are being distributed to
different countries in Africa based on zonal grouping. We have been told that
Nigeria’s consignment is in Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted
to Abuja.
“When the herbal drink is brought into the country, we will
know the next step. But some medical and scientific organisations are
pressurising that the drug be subjected to clinical trial.
“Some countries like Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville,
Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea have subscribed to the drugs. Also, while
South Africa has offered to conduct a scientific analysis of the drug, Senegal
said it will subject it to clinical trial.
“I can assure you that the Federal Government will take the
best decision on the drug in the overall interest of Nigerians.
“Before any food or drug can be administered in this
country, there are certain protocols that must be followed. The government will
not circumvent these protocols. We want solution; we want the best for
Nigerians.”
Recall that on April 28, the Chairman of the PTF on
COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha said the nation was ready to give Madagascar’s
herbal drink a trial.
Mustapha said at that time;
“I want to assure you that whatever is happening in the
world, we are mindful of it and we are keeping a tab.
“I was reading of the experiences in Madagascar– of why
everybody is drinking some solutions that have been prepared. This morning I
was sharing with my wife, and I told her that probably I would request that Mr.
President allow us import a plane load for a trial.
“We are all navigating an unchartered cause. Nobody has ever
been on this road. So, every attempt to find solution that would bring succour
to our people, be rest assured that this task force is very responsible and we
would do everything to ensure that we get what will benefit our people, what
will help them in the processes that we find ourselves today.”
This is coming after the World Health Organisation (WHO)
maintained that the efficacy of the drug was unproven.
