Olubadan advocates integration of traditional medicine into modern healthcare

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has called for stronger collaboration between traditional medicine practitioners and pharmacists to harness the medicinal value of indigenous herbs for national development.

The monarch made the call while commissioning the Asiwaju Adebowale Omotosho Pharmacy House, a five-storey building constructed by the Oyo State branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria in Ibadan.

Oba Ladoja said many traditional remedies contain medicinal elements that could be scientifically extracted, refined and developed through proper research and cooperation between pharmacists and traditional medicine practitioners.

He urged stakeholders to properly document and protect indigenous medical knowledge from external exploitation, stressing that such resources should not be neglected.

The Olubadan also pledged support for efforts aimed at integrating traditional medicine into modern healthcare practice, including assisting practitioners in securing patents and protecting intellectual property rights.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the PSN, Oyo State Branch, Pharm. Victor Segun Ajanaku (retd.), described the project as a major milestone in the 99-year history of the association.

He said the five-storey building was the first of its kind among PSN branches nationwide and would serve as a centre of excellence for pharmacy administration, while parts of the facility would be leased to generate maintenance revenue.

The donor of the building, Adebowale Omotosho, said the project was his contribution to the growth of the profession, while also highlighting challenges facing local pharmaceutical manufacturing, including policy constraints, high production costs and dependence on imported drugs.