VZCZCXRO9380
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #0290/01 1901306
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091306Z JUL 09
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0864
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 0453
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH AFB UK
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RHMCSUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFIUU/COMUSNAVEUR NAPLES IT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000290 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS USAID/AFR/WA WAY, AFR/SD DATWOOD 
STATE PASS TO USTR-AGAMA 
NSC FOR MICHELLE GAVIN AND KAREN O'DONNELL 
DOC FOR 3317/ITA/OA/KBURRESS AND 3130/USFC/OIO/ANESA/DHARRIS 
TREASURY FOR PETERS AND IERONIMO 
COMUSNAVEUR FOR ANAGGIAR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON SENV NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HARNESSING BIO-DIVERSITY FOR MEDICINE IN 
EDO STATE 
 
¶1. (U)  Summary: On June 19, PolOff visited the Pax Herbal 
Clinic and Research Laboratories at Ewu in Edo State, where 
Benedictine monks have been developing herbal medicines based 
on indigenous bio-resources. Pax Herbal combines indigenous 
knowledge and resources with modern diagnostic and laboratory 
testing to develop and produce herbal medicines, 21 of which 
have to date been approved by the Nigerian Agency for Food 
and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Pax Herbal 
employs over 200 people in its operations that stretch from 
the planting and harvesting of selected plants to the 
packaging and distribution of finished products. Three 
laboratories are manned by scientists with advanced degrees 
in microbiology, chemistry, and botany as well as lab 
technicians and a Registered Nurse. The clinic, laboratories, 
factory plant and equipment are maintained to a very high 
standard of repair and cleanliness. While Pax Herbal is a 
model of how good management can produce high quality 
facilities and products even in a rural Nigerian context, the 
products developed represent only the tip of the iceberg with 
respect to the economic potential of the systematic and 
scientific exploitation of the bio-diversity indigenous to 
the region for pharmaceutical purposes.  End Summary. 
 
Demystifying Traditional Medicine 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) On June 19, PolOff visited the Benedictine Monastery 
at Ewu in Edo State established 30 years ago by Irish monks 
and for the past 12 years the home of Pax Herbal, a 
non-profit company specialized in the production of medicine 
based on indigenous bio-resources. The monastery's interest 
in producing medicine sprang from the realization that many 
of the inhabitants of the surrounding communities suffered 
from curable ailments but were unable to access or afford 
modern medicine. According to Father Anselm Adodo, the 
founder of Pax Herbal, an estimated 85% of all Africans today 
still rely on traditional medicine, not from choice but 
because they have no alternative.  The monks wanted to 
demystify traditional African medicine and promote its 
rational use through research, documentation and information 
technology. They started investigating ways to produce 
affordable medicines based on indigenous products, by 
applying scientific knowledge and analysis to the traditional 
medicines which were native to the region. In Pax Herbal's 
research laboratory, scientists analyze the chemical content 
of indigenous substances used in traditional medicine, 
identify active ingredients, separate out potentially harmful 
substances and formulate herbal-based medicines. Pax Herbal 
produces affordable medicines that have been clinically 
tested, approved by NAFDAC, and meet high quality control 
standards, 21 of which have so far been approved by NAFDAC. 
PaxHerbal has focused research efforts on illnesses common to 
the surrounding communities, namely malaria, diabetes and 
HIV/Aids, but also have products to address food poisoning 
and indigestion, coughs and nasal congestion, typhoid fever 
and sickle cell anemia. (Note: to date none of their products 
have been approved for the treatment of HIV/Aids. End Note.) 
 
 
Model Factory, Model Clinic 
--------------------------- 
 
¶3. (U)  Today, Pax Herbal employs roughly 230 people in all 
phases of production from planting to distribution. There are 
three laboratories (research/drug formulation, quality 
control, and diagnostic) with six scientific personnel 
holding advanced degrees in industrial chemistry, 
microbiology or botany. The monastery has roughly ten hectars 
of farmland for the production of raw materials, but also 
purchases raw materials from local farmers. A factory in 
which raw materials are processed (dried, crushed, and 
distilled), the medicines produced, packaged, labeled, tested 
and loaded for delivery is located directly behind the 
clinic. Pax Herbal has a distribution network that stretches 
 
LAGOS 00000290  002 OF 002 
 
 
across southern Nigeria through certified partners, mostly 
Catholic Churches. The physical plant, designed by the monks, 
is well lit, well maintained and exceptionally clean. Father 
Anselm pointed out that several of the simpler machines in 
use (the drying machine, conveyer belts etc.) had been built 
by the employees in house. All machines, whether self-made or 
purchased, are in an excellent state of repair with constant, 
preventative maintenance in evidence. 
 
¶4. (U) In addition, there is a clinic with a Registered Nurse 
and trained medical consultants who see patients daily.  The 
clinic has tile floors throughout in contrast to state-run 
health facilities which, according to the Edo State 
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Momoh, use non-hygienic 
concrete floors. Likewise more advanced than state health 
facilities are the electronic patient registration system and 
the electronic medical records data base at the Pax Herbal 
clinic.  The clinic also offers patients a fitness room and 
an internet cafe with six terminals which could be used 
free-of-charge. 
 
¶5. (U) Comment: Pax Herbal is a model example of how good 
management can produce high quality products and facilities 
even in rural Nigeria. Yet the products developed to date 
represent only the tip of the iceberg with respect to the 
economic potential of indigenous bio-resources for 
pharmaceutical purposes. The monks at Pax Herbal have focused 
exclusively on those raw materials already used in 
traditional medicine, however, the bio-diversity of the 
African forest may offer a vast array of hitherto untapped 
ingredients useful in pharmaceuticals. The systematic and 
scientific analysis of these resources could be immensely 
profitable to firms dedicated to early stage pharmaceutical 
development (biotech venture capital).  As an added benefit, 
by identifying the economic value of various species, 
conservation of the bio-diversity of the native forests would 
be encouraged.  End Comment. 
¶6. (U) This cable has been cleared by Embassy Abuja. 
BLAIR