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J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2021;10(2): 202-208.
doi: 10.34172/jhp.2021.22

Scopus ID: 85103660952
  Abstract View: 2998
  PDF Download: 1203

Original Article

Safety monitoring of herbal medicines in Nigeria: worrying state of pharmacovigilance system based on WHO core pharmacovigilance indicators

Sulayman Tunde Balogun 1* ORCID logo, Kenneth Okwong Okon 2 ORCID logo, Ayodele Oluwasoji Akanmu 1 ORCID logo, Leonard Mela Paul 1, Olufunke Adebola Sodipo 1 ORCID logo

1 Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
2 Department of Medical Microbiology, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Email: stbalogun@hotmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Herbal medicines (HMs) have shown therapeutic and toxicological potentials. Thus, the WHO expanded the pharmacovigilance (PVG) scope to include HMs. This study appraised the state of PVG system in Nigeria for the safety monitoring of HMs using WHO core PVG indicators.

Methods: Between January and June 2019, 39 PVG experts were requested to independently appraise the PVG system in Nigeria for safety monitoring of HMs using WHO PVG core structural (CSIs), process (CPIs) and outcome (COIs) indicators. The 27 indicators (CSIs = 10, CPIs = 9 and COIs = 8) were scored 3, 2, 1 and 0 for adequate, fairly adequate, inadequate and uncertain states, respectively. CSIs index (CSII) was determined by dividing the summation of CSIs mean score by total obtainable score (30) and expressed in percentage. This was applied to CPIs and COIs to obtain CPIs index (CPII) and COIs index (COII), respectively.

Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of participants’ age was 43.6 ± 10.3 years with mean ± SD work experience of 15.3 ± 9.3 years. Majority had doctoral degree (35.9%; 14/39; P >0.05) and were medical doctors (28.2%; 11/39; P > 0.05). Twelve of the 27 indicators scored at least 2.0 and CSIs, CPIs, and COIs accounted for 75.0% (9/12), 0.0% (0/12) and 25.0% (3/12), respectively (P < 0.05). The total mean score was 27.3 ± 0.2 for CSIs as against 8.0 ± 0.3 for CPIs and 11.2 ± 0.4 for COIs (P < 0.05). The CSII, CPII and COII were 91.0%; 29.6% and 46.7%, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Most of the structural elements are in place for safety monitoring of HMs in Nigeria. However, the process and outcome of PVG indicate an inadequate state. Thus, deliberate efforts are required to ensure the realization of PVG objectives.


The study’s findings and recommendations could be used to make policies on safe and effective uses of herbal medicines. It will ensure effective monitoring of the safety of herbal medicines, reduce the extent of the adverse reactions and improve treatment outcomes. In addition, it provides evidence-based baseline data for future research.
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Submitted: 30 May 2020
Revision: 20 Aug 2020
Accepted: 20 Aug 2020
ePublished: 07 Jan 2021
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