The Anambra State Government has banned the open advertisement of herbal medicines by media houses in the state, except with the prior approval of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Herbal Medicine and Pharmaceuticals.
This was disclosed in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, on Saturday.
According to him, the exercise is targeted at regulating and controlling the use of herbal substances which has been on the increase among residents of the state.
He said “It is only the office of the special adviser to the governor on medicals and pharmaceuticals that can directly submit all approved jingles, public announcement, commercials, adverts ,etc, to the respective media organizations in line with the NAFDAC and ministry of health guidelines after ethical vetting and approval.”
“Herbal and indigenous medicine practitioners are forbidden from directly taking any information pertaining to their medicine/products to any media house in the State for Public consumption.”
He gave the categories of herbal medicines to include products made from botanicals or plants, that are used to treat diseases or to maintain health.
He listed it as a medicinal product and herbal supplements made from plants and used for curative or preventive purposes.
Prior to the ban, the open advertisement of herbal medicine, also known as “Agbo,” was a common sight in motor parks and other public spaces in Anambra State.
Many residents of the state rely on herbal medicine to treat a variety of illnesses and diseases, though the use of these medicines has been linked to an increase in cases of kidney failure and other health problems.
The state government’s decision to ban these open advertisements is a step towards protecting the health and well-being of its residents.