House Proposes New Law to Regulate Herbal Medicines

A bill to amend the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control Act and give the agency clear authority to regulate herbal medicines has passed second reading in Nigeria’s House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by member representing Oshodi/Isolo ll Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Jesse Onuakalusi would empower NAFDAC to oversee the production, sale and use of herbal and traditional medicinal products.

Leading the debate on the general Principles of the bill Onuakalusi said herbal remedies remain a crucial part of healthcare for millions of Nigerians but warned that many products are made in unhygienic conditions and lack dosage control, clinical testing or safety certification.

He said the law currently does not explicitly permit NAFDAC to regulate the sector, leaving consumers vulnerable to poisoning, infections and organ damage.

“The current NAFDAC Act does not explicitly empower the agency to regulate herbal medicines,” Onuakalusi said.

“This amendment seeks to close that gap by granting NAFDAC clear authority to register, certify and monitor all herbal products to ensure their safety, efficacy and quality.”

The bill would expand NAFDAC’s responsibilities, create a Traditional Medicine Advisory Committee and establish a department dedicated to herbal medicine regulation.

It would also introduce penalties for the production or sale of unregistered or unsafe products and allow practitioners a 12-month transition period to comply.

Lawmakers unanimously supported the proposal and referred it to a committee for further legislative work.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji