Indigenous Drugs: Key to Curbing Cancer in Africa, Experts Say

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Indigenous Drugs Hold the Key to Curbing Cancer in Africa, Experts Say
L-R: Pharm. (Mrs) Kate Isa, CEO, Katchey Company Ltd; Prof. Martins Emeje, CEO of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA),  and Kristina Kalpaklieva of Everyone Foundation.

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality globally, with an estimated 10 million deaths and 20 million new cases reported in 2022. While these numbers are staggering, the world eagerly awaits breakthroughs in cancer treatment—especially in Africa, where a significant portion of low- and -middle-income countries face limited access to effective healthcare solutions.

Emerging studies highlight the potential of indigenous drugs tailored to the African genome as a promising solution to the continent’s growing cancer burden. Experts in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical sciences argue that these locally developed medicines could outperform conventional therapies, which are often associated with life-threatening side effects due to their lack of genetic specificity.

As the global community commemorates World Cancer Day on 4 February, we had  exclusive interviews with Pharm. (Mrs) Kate Isa, CEO, Katchey Company Ltd; Prof. Martins Emeje, Director General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA), and Kristina Kalpaklieva of Everyone Foundation, on the growing burden of cancer in Africa and how to mitigate it. They affirmed the effectiveness of home-grown medicines in cancer care. They called on African governments and stakeholders to prioritize funding for research and development (R&D), which they believe is critical to producing the medicines needed to combat cancer effectively in the region.

The Role of Indigenous Medicine in Modern Healthcare

The World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledges the importance of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine in global healthcare. WHO emphasises that these practices should be integrated into national health systems based on the latest scientific evidence to ensure both safety and efficacy.

While traditional medicines are often rooted in centuries of indigenous knowledge, WHO stresses the necessity of evidence-based approaches, including rigorous clinical trials, to establish their effectiveness and safety. This process is essential to ensure that natural remedies meet the same standards as conventional pharmaceuticals.

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A Personal Loss Inspires a Lifelong Mission

Pharm. (Mrs) Kate Isa

For Pharm. Kate Isa, the fight against cancer is deeply personal. After losing her cousin to cancer following treatment with drugs that were not tailored to her genetic makeup, Isa became a passionate advocate for localised, genomics-based cancer treatments.

“I lost my cousin to cancer because she was given a drug that wasn’t designed for her,” Isa recalled. “It’s high time Africans stopped relying on medicines that don’t consider our unique genetic profiles. Sometimes, the side effects can be deadlier than the disease itself.”

Isa emphasised that many cancers are no longer a death sentence if diagnosed early and treated with personalised therapies.

“Research shows that medicines developed without including specific demographic groups in clinical trials may not be effective—or even safe—for those populations,” she explained. “Medicine today has become personalised, focusing on genetics. If a drug isn’t designed for your genetic makeup, it may not work as intended.”

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Isa noted how nations prioritised the health of their own citizens. “We have a responsibility to ourselves and to future generations—to safeguard the health of people of African descent, not just in Nigeria, but across the globe,” she emphasised.

R&D: The Missing Link in Africa’s Cancer Battle

Prof. Martins Emeje

Echoing Isa’s sentiments, Prof. Martins Emeje highlighted the untapped potential of Nigeria’s natural resources in the fight against cancer.

“The fact that cancer thrives in Nigeria should tell our scientists that the solution is also here,” Emeje asserted. “The cure for many types of cancer lies within our rich biodiversity, particularly in our plant-based natural resources.”

Emeje criticised Nigeria’s overreliance on imported medicines, despite having abundant natural resources and scientific talent capable of developing effective treatments.

“We import everything—even from countries where Nigerian scientists are teaching others how to conduct research,” he remarked. “Is that normal? We keep wishing for home-grown solutions, but nothing comes from mere wishes—not even salvation. The only sustainable path forward is local R&D for local drug production.”

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Having spent over two decades researching traditional medicine, Emeje has consistently advocated for increased investment in indigenous drug development.

“I will not tire of repeating this: We must make indigenous health research and development a national priority if we want solutions tailored to our unique health challenges,” he emphasized.

The Limitations of Imported Cancer Treatments

Kristina Kalpaklieva

In a conversation with Kristina Kalpaklieva, a representative of the Everyone.org Foundation—an organisation that facilitates access to oncology drugs worldwide—she acknowledged the limitations of imported cancer treatments in Africa.

“Our medicines are sourced from certified suppliers and approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA, EMA, and Japan’s PMDA,” Kalpaklieva explained. “However, we are not the manufacturers, nor do we conduct clinical trials ourselves. We cannot guarantee how effective these drugs will be for specific populations, including Nigerians, because they aren’t designed with their unique genetic makeup in mind.”

She also noted that the high cost of these imported medicines often makes them inaccessible to the average Nigerian, further underscoring the need for affordable, locally produced alternatives.

A Bold Vision for Indigenous Cancer Solutions

Determined to prevent unnecessary cancer-related deaths, Isa has assembled a team of researchers, clinicians, and scientists dedicated to developing oncology drugs tailored specifically to African populations.

“I don’t want foreign donations. We don’t need foreign money,” Isa declared. “I’m determined to secure funding from within Nigeria. The day cancer knocks on the doors of the wealthy, they’ll realise that flying to Germany or the U.S. won’t save them if the drugs they receive aren’t designed for their genetic makeup.”

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Her goal is clear: “to create effective cancer treatments for Africans, by Africans, without relying on international aid”

A Pledge for Breakthroughs in Cancer Treatment

Citing the NNMDA’s recent achievements—having produced four natural medicines in under two years—Prof. Emeje vowed to deliver even more groundbreaking products if given the necessary support from both the government and the private sector.

“If I receive the support we need, we can launch five anti-cancer products, wholly developed from Nigerian medicinal plants, before the second anniversary of this administration,” Emeje declared confidently. “And if I can’t deliver, I’ll step down. What’s the point of all my education if I can’t use it to help my country?”

Emeje revealed that the NNMDA has already developed treatments for various cancers, including prostate, breast, and brain cancer. Working alongside Prof. Samson Amos, a volunteer researcher based in the U.S., the agency recently completed work on an anti-cancer drug derived from a plant native to southwestern Nigeria.

“This plant has been used traditionally to treat cancer, malaria, and inflammation,” Emeje explained. “Our lab investigations confirmed its anti-cancer properties, showing that it can reduce tumor growth and induce cancer cell death. Remarkably, this plant is also consumed as food in parts of Nigeria.”

He further shared that the agency is nearing completion of another promising anti-cancer drug. “Our data shows that this plant-based drug is more potent than some synthetic anti-cancer drugs,” he said. “We’ve identified its mechanism of action, linking its effectiveness to the inhibition of the PKCα/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which plays a key role in cancer development.”

Emeje concluded with a passionate call for collaboration: “This is no longer the NNMDA you used to know. Our research is world-class, and we’re open to partnerships with any scientists or institutions committed to advancing natural medicine development.”

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