Knowledge for Development

Contending issues of Intellectual Property Rights protection and indigenous knowledge of pharmacology in SSA

Author:

Date: 17/12/2013

Introduction:

This paper by Chika A. Ezeanya, Director of the African Institute for Research in Indigenous Solutions, Rwanda, explores the continued and increasing patenting and profiting from Africa’s indigenous pharmacopeia by western businesses. It calls for increased involvement of governments, civil society groups, concerned citizens and institutions in the protection of Africa’s indigenous pharmacology, and for the adoption of a culturally oriented and sensitive approach of indigenous medical heritage. Specifically, the ‘domain public payant’, documentation and sui generis (uniqueness in its own characteristics) options are discussed.   

http://www.jpanafrican.com/docs/vol6no5/6.5-Ezeanya.pdf   

(The Journal of Pan African Studies, 10/2013)