Akwa Ibom State Government Bans Herbal Products

Akwa Ibom State government has banned the sales, hawking and advertisement of herbal products said to be cure for cancer, hypertension, diabetes, malaria, typhoid fever and infertility.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong in a statement issued Sunday, August 30, on his behalf by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry, Mrs Mary Ukponguso, said the ban became necessary as the claims by the promoters of the herbal products have not been scientifically substantiated by relevant regulatory authorities.

He mandated the Pharmaceutical Inspection Committee of the State Ministry of Health to carry out surveillance and enforcement of the directive, with a view to arresting and prosecuting culprits according to the law. According to the Commissioner, the herbal drugs are purported to be blood cleansers, bitters and food supplements, which can cure more than fifty diseases.


Dr. Ukpong said reports have however, linked many medical problems, including kidney failure and death to the consumption of the herbal products. He advised the people to always seek medical attention for their problems in various health centres across the State.