ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The Anambra State Government has taken a firm stance by prohibiting the open promotion of herbal medicines across the state.
A statement released on Saturday by Sir Paul Nwosu, the Commissioner for Information, revealed the ban.
Nwosu stressed that any advertising related to herbal remedies must first obtain approval from the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceuticals.
Only after this approval can such advertisements be displayed in public spaces or on various media platforms.
The newly introduced regulations apply to a variety of herbal medicines, encompassing products derived from botanical sources or plants.
These products are intended for the treatment of ailments or the preservation of good health. Additionally, the list includes medicinal products and herbal supplements produced from plants, specifically designed for both curative and preventive purposes.
This directive aims to establish a comprehensive framework for governing and managing the utilization of herbal substances, which have seen a surge in popularity among the State’s inhabitants.
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Anambra had previously been recognized as a hub for unrestricted advertisements of herbal medicine, notably in motor parks and key locations.
Many residents have traditionally turned to herbal medicine, colloquially referred to as “Agbo,” to address a wide spectrum of health issues and maladies.
Nevertheless, the uncontrolled consumption of herbal medicine (Agbo) has led to a surge in health problems, with conditions like kidney failure on the rise.
To curb this trend and the haphazard utilization of herbal concoctions, the state has executed a ban on the open advertisement of all types of herbal medicines.
This measure, as conveyed by the official statement, aims to rectify the excesses and unregulated utilization of herbal preparations within the populace.