Ethical and Regulatory Issues Surrounding African Traditional Medicine in the Context of Hiv/Aids

Abstract

It has been estimated that more than 80% of people in Africa use traditional medicine (TM). With the HIV/AIDS epidemic claiming many lives in Africa, the majority of people affected rely on TM mainly because it is relatively affordable and available to the poor populations who cannot afford orthodox medicine. Whereas orthodox medicine is practiced under stringent regulations and ethical guidelines emanating from The Nuremburg Code, African TM seems to be exempt from such scrutiny. Although recently there have been calls for TM to be incorporated into the health care system, less emphasis has been placed on ethical and regulatory issues. In this paper, an overview of the use of African TM in general, and for HIV/AIDS in particular, is given, followed by a look at: (i) the relative laxity in the application of ethical standards and regulatory requirements with regards to TM; (ii) the importance of research on TM in order to improve and demystify its therapeutic qualities; (iii) the need to tailor-make intellectual property laws to protect traditional knowledge and biodiversity. A framework of partnerships involving traditional healers' associations, scientists, policy makers, patients, community leaders, members of the communities, and funding organizations is suggested as a possible method to tackle these issues. It is hoped that this paper will stimulate objective and constructive debate that could enhance the protection of patients' welfare.

The influence of traditional medicine and religion on discontinuation of ART in an urban informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya

“…Collaboration between these two practices has been initiated in many SSA countries but reservations about the results have been raised (Nyika, 2007). The health systems in SSA lack human resources to face the increasing needs to care for people living with HIV (Vassall & Compernolle, 2006) and the World Health Organization (WHO) has since 1974 acknowledged the importance of traditional health practitioners.…”

Genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and toxicological evaluation of whole plant extracts of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus niruri (Phyllanthaceae)

“…The majority of the people of African descent patronize herbal or traditional medicine for their health needs. It is estimated that 70-80% of patients in Africa are treated by traditional healers and herbal practitioners (Diallo et al, 1996;Nyika, 2007). Furthermore, about 40% of all medicines on the market today have been derived directly or indirectly from natural sources; 25% being from plants, 13% from microorganisms and 2% from animals (De Smet, 1997;Pandey, 1998;Shu, 1998;Blumenthal, 1999).…”

Perceptions of the Etiology and Treatment of Hypertension Among Some Traditional Healers in Cameroon

“…Mthatha 5117, South Africa; Tel: (+27) 475022794 / (27) 726373725; Fax: (+27)502 2758; E-mail: bnkehchungaga@wsu.ac.za hospitals is not readily available, this makes the traditional healers the care givers of choice [7]. Indeed, it is reported that more than 80% of Africans, including Cameroonian, make use of one kind of alternative therapy or the other from traditional healers [8]. Current WHO reports show that there is an increasing trend across the world for the use of traditional and alternative medicines [9].…”