The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, PMG-MAN, says Nigeria has the capacity to produce herbal medicines locally, using raw materials sourced within the country.

Vice Chairman of PMG-MAN, Patrick Ajah, made this known today in an interview with journalists.

Ajah said about 95 per cent of the materials used in some of the herbal products are sourced locally, with the exception of the capsule shells.

He identified bitter leaf as one of the major local materials used in the production of some herbal medicines for the management of sickle cell.

Ajah, however, noted that while there are risks involved in the production of herbal medicines, some of the products are already available in the Nigerian market.