Multidisciplinary Work Approach to Phytomedicines Research and Development (R&D) in Nigeria – Experts’ Opinion

Abstract

Modern drug development strategy involves the use of computer aided in silico studies, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology, to predict and simulate drug metabolism, safety and efficacy. The entire process requires molecular targeting, isolation, purification, synthesis through biotechnology or chemosynthesis, formulation, and determination of safety, efficacy and process efficiency. This has brought scientist from diverse background together toward a common curse of mutually beneficial innovative research approach. For phytomedicine research, this diversity requires professionals from different field such as the botany, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology, pharmacy and medicine.  Each of these fields also contains various specializations and specific research focus. This study looked at Expert opinion on multidisciplinary approach to innovative phytomedicine R&D in Nigeria. The analysis presented represents the opinion of Experts who responded to the study questionnaire. 53% of Experts believed that multidisciplinary collaboration is very productive while 39% believed it is productive. The level of phytomedicine R&D in Nigeria is believed to be poor by majority (56%) of respondents. The Experts believed that multidisciplinary R&D approach will lead to more reliable data, inclusiveness, process efficiency and better R&D outcome, results/products acceptability. Multidisciplinary R&D approach should be encouraged in Nigeria through adequate funding and policy framework.