Date: 04/03/2003
Source: Department of Health
Title: Tshabalala-Msimang: Scientific evaluation of traditional & herbal medicines


SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINES AND HERBAL REMEDIES

Traditional medicines are widely used in our society. It is believed that about 80% of our population in the SADC region use traditional therapies and many people have reported great benefit from their use. These medicines are widely available, more affordable to all and most of them have simple treatment regimen.

However, it is important to acknowledge that there is still a gap in research and regulation of these products. This allows space for unscrupulous conduct, including scientifically unproven medical claims within this field. Claims have also been made about the role of these medicines in the management of AIDS and other diseases that compromise the immune system.

We are therefore beginning to work in this area with the main objective of protecting our people and ensuring that they use products that are safe, effective and of good quality. There is a need for the general public to be informed as to the validity of some of these claims, and the safety of these medicines. This therefore requires that we scientifically evaluate these substances.

As the Department of Health, we have requested the Medical Research Council to initiate a research programme to scientifically test traditional medicines that are used in chronic conditions - including immune boosters and to provide information on these medicines for the general public.

What we are asking the MRC to do is to:

1. Expand its current Indigenous Knowledge Systems for the testing of putative immune-modulators
2. Serve as a clearinghouse for any claims that may be made of potential immune modulators
3. Establish a communication centre to advise the public and health professionals concerning immune-modulators and complementary medicines
4. Safeguard the intellectual property rights of individuals or communities of practice who bring forth such agents for evaluation

The MRC is a statutory council we established to undertake health research for the benefit of the people of South Africa. It is fitting therefore that the MRC should conduct this important task of leading research into medicines for treatment of the conditions that afflict our society.

The MRC has systems already in place to safeguard the intellectual property rights of individuals or communities practicing in this area who may bring forward such agents for evaluation. Dr Mbewu will be able to elaborate on this.

In conclusion it is important to mention that we are not doing this work in isolation. We have shared experiences on how some of the SADC member states have approached research into traditional medicine.

At a global level, the World Health Organisation has stressed that traditional medicines need to be evaluated for safety and effectiveness before they can either be rejected or accepted into national health policies. Therefore, this is an important exercise that will inform policy direction in relation to traditional medicines in this country.

Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang
Minister of Health
04 March 2003

Contacts:
Dr Anthony Mbewu, MRC Executive Director: Research, (021) 938 0302, 082 440 3073
Sibani Mngadi, Media Liaison Officer, Ministry of Health, 082 772 0161

Source: Department of Health (http:///www.doh.gov.za)