UNILORIN Prof. Aremu Suggests Herbal Medicine Units in Major Hospitals

In consonance with the emerging global trends, a Professor of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Chemistry at the University of Ilorin, Isaac Olusola Aremu, has enjoined the Federal Government to come up with a policy to encourage the establishment of herbal pharmacy section in all health facilities in the country.

Prof. Aremu gave this advice last Thursday (March 14, 2024) while delivering the 252nd Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled “Drug Formulation as Essential Construct for Safe Delivery” at the institution’s Main Auditorium. 

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The renowned scholar, whose Inaugural Lecture was the second to be delivered by a scholar of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the nation’s most sought-after University, advised that the herbal pharmacy section should run alongside orthodox pharmacy to enable the patient make a choice between the two.

Prof. Aremu explained that the policy, which is in practice in all the hospitals operating in China and many other countries of the world, should also be enacted in Nigeria.

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The don specifically encouraged the authorities of the University of Ilorin to do the right thing by establishing a herbal pharmacy either at the institution’s Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences or at the University’s Health Centre. He added that if this is done the University would be joining Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, which operates a “Village Chemist” where herbal medicines are sold and dispensed to those who desire them.

Prof. Aremu also called for the establishment of pharmaceutical raw materials manufacturing industries where synthetic and herbal raw materials can be processed for sale after being transformed into finished products.

While saying that the importance of the encouragement of his suggestion cannot be overemphasised, Prof. Aremu implored the government to grant such companies tax waiver of at least five years so as to encourage interested investors.

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He also advised the government to put a tripartite arrangement in place, whereby government will be willing to purchase the non-sponsored patented products from researchers and invariably collaborate with manufacturing industries for their translation into commercial products.

Prof. Aremu also advised pharmaceutical companies across Nigeria to embrace locally available raw materials. He added that it is also important for such companies to encourage researchers by collaborating with them through the provision of grants as it is done in the developed countries.

In order to generate more competent hands in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. Aremu called for the introduction of the collegiate system in all Faculties of Pharmacy in the country to reflect contemporary realities. He added that such a system would enable the proposed Colleges to run programmes such as B.Sc. Herbal Medicine, B. Pharm, PharmD, among other degree programmes as obtainable in many countries of the world.

The Inaugural Lecturer also suggested the setting up of a Drug Research and Manufacturing Unit(DRMU) at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ilorin. He explained that it can be achieved through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, saying that it would be a goldmine venture for the University.

Prof. Aremu also encouraged the Federal Government to place a ban on the importation of raw materials and finished products, particularly products for the treatment of common ailments like Malaria, cough, haermorrhoids and infectious diseases.         

The renowned scholar also appealed to parents and guardians to invest in the education of their children and wards, saying that without the generous support of his parents he wouldn’t have attained the level he is.

Prof. Aremu also encouraged his colleagues in the academia to develop and sharpen their research skills. He explained that no matter the field of learning a scholar belongs to he needed to conduct continuous research in the interest of academic growth and general human development.

The lecture, which was presided-over by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Funsho Ambali, was graced by dignitaries from far and near, including the relatives, friends, colleagues and students of Prof. Aremu.