medicine
8 October 2007
Africa should make use of intellectual property provisions to protect its
innovation with regard to indigenous knowledge and African traditional
medicine, Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang was addressing a two-day Africa regional
consultative meeting on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property
that started at Emperors Palace in Boksburg today. The meeting is attended by
representatives of at least 16 African countries and experts from various local
and international organisations including the World Health Organisation
(WHO).
The Minister's statement comes after the weekend media report alleging that
a German drug firm, ISO Arzneimittel, has patented a plant found in the Eastern
Cape for use in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. The plant, Pelargonium, is
believed to have been used by local communities for many years for treatment of
diseases and symptoms such as pain, fatigue, depression, insomnia and
AIDS-related infections such as tuberculosis, herpes and pneumonia (Sunday
Times, 7 October).
"The implementation of continental initiatives with focus on research and
development of traditional medicine need to be enhanced. It is therefore
important to discuss issues relating to the protection of indigenous knowledge
systems," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
The meeting is part of the WHO's initiative to develop a global strategy and
plan of action aimed at enhancing needs-driven, essential health research and
development that is relevant to diseases which are disproportionately affect
developing countries.
"This consultation is essential to enable Africa to have a common position
on this very important global discussion. The bulk of disease burden is in
developing countries and Africa in particular," said Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang.
She said the high prices of medicine make it imperative that Africa takes a
common position on issues of fair trade with regard to medicines affecting
public health and the consultative meeting will seek to consolidate Africa's
position on this matter.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry of Health
8 October 2007
