Madagascar is demanding a some of 170,000 Euros for their herbal Coronavirus medicine sent to Nigeria, a source told THE NATION.

The COVID-19 cure was brought to Nigeria by the President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo on his visit to Nigeria.

The country has however not been used in the country as the president assured Nigerians that the drugs will pass through intensive test to determine its suitability. 

A source disclosed to the, THE NATION saying "For our consignments in Guinea Bissau, Madagascar has asked Nigeria to pay over €170,000 (N78,200,000). We have received the invoice because the African country has made us to realise that the drugs are not being given our free.

"We are being asked to pay for the drugs yet to be validated. Since the AU directed the supply of the drugs to African countries, we may have no choice than to pay for it."

He said that he money will however be required to be paid at once, and that importation will not be cost effective, saying that the country is looking for local options available. 

"Some researchers have told us that we have richer herbs to contain COVID-19. In fact, ashop in Wuse 2, Abuja has been discovered to be selling Artemisia Tea with high potency than COV drugs, he said.

"As a nation, we will leave all options open and look inwards. But, we will subject Madagascar herbal drugs to verification or validation.

"The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 is also thinking of asking the National Agency for Fod and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and hasten the validation of Local drugs on COVID-19."