The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians against excessive consumption of onions and garlic with a view to curing Coronavirus infection.
Prof Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, gave the warning in a statement released by the agency’s resident Media Consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, on Sunday, NAN reports.
Adeyeye also said the agency was yet to approve any herbal medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 because no single drug has been found to cure the infection.
He said medicinal products available now could only help ease symptoms and up the odds of survival.
She warned Nigerian researchers and other herbal medicine practitioners to desist from parading unverified medicine for the virus.
The NAFDAC boss further revealed that any product without the agency’s approval for the cure of COVID-19 is null and void, adding that such an act was a violation of the national regulatory authorities and a breach of protocols.
“If you eat too much your breath will be smelling and nobody will want to stay by you.
“If it is not documented, it cannot be recognized by NAFDAC for COVID – 19. They work on our cells to keep people healthier, but not to cure COVID – 19.
“They help our body to function better. There is no cure for COVID -19 yet.
“If you eat garlic and onion and you don’t use a face mask you will get COVID -19.
”University of Jos said that there was herbal medicine, whether it is tea or whatever, that can cure the virus.
‘’We sent a letter to warn them that they cannot claim something unless it has gone through our listing process.
“They were trying to sell it to their staff. That is a violation of our own regulatory policies.
“Nobody should say that this one can cure this or that without going through NAFDAC listing process, the research into herbal medicine by the academia is normal, ”Adeyeye said.