NAFDAC, experts lament dearth of clinical trials

With less than three percent clinical trials on the continent, the Association for Good Clinical Practice in Nigeria (AGCPN), in collaboration with National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has called for the sustainable increased participation in global clinical trials.
This, it said, would lead to building of capacity for African indigenous scientists to creatively harness natural products with medicinal potentials, for global consumption.
Speaking recently in a summit, with the theme: “Next Frontier for Growth and Revolution in Clinical Trials: Africa is ready,” AGCPN leader, Prof Ifeoma Okoye, who is a consultant radiologist, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), said it was necessary to collaboratively partner with stakeholders.
On Africa’s status, he said: “Africans have come to conclusion that the low volume of drug research and development is counterproductive to the vision to healthy Africa. As has been widely recognised, the health status of the African population remains behind that of populations in Europe and North America, as well as many other developing regions with similar affluence.
“There is overwhelming evidence that demonstrates that meeting Africa’s development goal in healthcare and access to medicine requires that we build sustainable platform for health innovation in Africa.”