Urgent Alert: Lagos Govt Sounds Alarm on Uncertified Herbal Drugs

 The Lagos State Government (LASG) issued a stern warning on April 22, 2025, urging residents to stop using uncertified herbal drugs due to severe health risks, including organ failure and death. 

The directive, announced by the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB), follows a surge in hospital admissions linked to complications from unverified herbal concoctions, particularly those marketed as cures for chronic ailments like hypertension and infertility. The LSTMB emphasized that only registered traditional medicine practitioners should administer herbal treatments, as unregulated products often contain harmful substances.

Registrar Tunde Oyeniran highlighted cases where patients suffered liver and kidney damage after consuming unapproved aphrodisiacs and weight-loss mixtures. The board has intensified its clampdown on illegal herbal vendors, sealing 15 outlets in Oshodi and Agege markets. 

Oyeniran stressed that certification ensures safety, with approved practitioners required to submit products for laboratory testing. The government also plans to launch a public awareness campaign, leveraging radio and community outreaches to educate residents on verifying herbal drug authenticity.

Health experts echoed the warning, noting that uncertified drugs bypass Nigeria’s regulatory standards, posing risks of toxicity and drug interactions. The LSTMB reported a 30% rise in emergency cases linked to herbal misuse in 2024, prompting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to prioritize enforcement. Residents are urged to report suspicious vendors to the LSTMB hotline, with violators facing fines or imprisonment.