National Institute for Pharma research and development identifies ‘ingredient’ useful in treating COVID-19

By our reporter| As Nigeria battles to contain the rising number of new coronavirus cases across the country, the Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, Obi Adigwe, says the agency has identified a vital ingredient that could help in treating COVID-19, but that its effort is being hampered by lack of funds for research and production of the products.

According to Adigwe, who made the disclosure at a briefing in Abuja during the week, the agency has identified an active ingredient in its product, Niprimmune, that could be used in treating and managing COVID-19 cases.

Adigwe said, “As far back as a year ago, we used our expertise and artificial learning capacity to identify that this product- Niprimmune may be active in the treatment of COVID-19.”

“During that time, we have gone to many TV stations to appeal to philanthropists, development partners, and other funding agencies to support NIPRD to undertake the remaining scientific activity that will enable us to make this product available for use.”

Adigwe further revealed that the agency wrote letters to at least 30 development partners, philanthropists and foundations, and telecommunication companies for support on the research.

However, according to him, only an organisation in Burkina Faso has promised to help take the product to the next level.

Researchers at the agency felt the pain of the lack of support when the same product was approved by the government of Thailand for COVID-19 treatment, he noted.

According to him, those “who have the financial capacity to support the agency seem star-struck with imported products rather than harnessing their own”.

NIPRD was established by the government for research and development of drugs, biological products, and pharmaceutical raw materials based on indigenous resources.

But lack of adequate support, Adigwe explained has frustrated the agency’s efforts to carry out research and deliver its mandate.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control on Saturday confirmed 1598 new infections bringing the country’s caseload to 108,943.

The NCDC further noted that so far, 85,367 persons have recovered from the disease with 1,420 deaths recorded.