Significance of African Health Remedies

Written by Alexander Ogunmola and Young Eta

As a society, we rely heavily on pharmaceutical companies to provide us with the medicines we need to maintain our health. However, what many people do not realize is that these companies often appropriate traditional remedies and turn them into patented drugs, without little to no recognition or compensation to the communities who have been using them for centuries. This is a form of biopiracy, and it is a clear indication of the greed and lack of ethics that drive these companies.

One of the most striking examples of this is the story of Rev Paul Ogunniyi Ogunyale, who had spent his entire life dedicating himself to the study and preservation of traditional medicine in Oyo town. Rev Ogunyale had discovered a unique blend of herbs that effectively treated sickle cell anemia that was plaguing his community. Excited by his discovery, he shared it with a pharmaceutical company in hopes that they would help him bring this cure to the masses. However, instead of working with him, the company patented the cure and began profiting off of it without giving Rev Ogunyale any recognition or compensation. Rev Paul Ogunyale felt betrayed and heartbroken, as his lifetime of work had been taken from him and his community had been robbed of a valuable treatment.

This is not an isolated incident, as other examples include the use of the neem tree in traditional African medicine and the artemisia plant. These remedies have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including malaria and skin conditions. However, big pharma saw an opportunity to make a profit and took these traditional remedies, patenting them and selling them back to the very communities that have been using them for free for centuries.

This is not only exploitative, but it also undermines the knowledge and practices of these communities. Many of these remedies have been passed down through generations and are deeply ingrained in the culture and tradition of these communities. It is a clear indication of the greed and lack of ethics that drive these companies.

In conclusion, the actions of big pharmaceutical companies in appropriating traditional African health remedies are nothing short of a crime. They are exploiting the knowledge and practices of vulnerable communities, and turning them into profit without any recognition or compensation. It is time for these companies to be held accountable for their actions and for the communities affected to be compensated accordingly. We must also be conscious of the source of our medicines and support ethical alternatives.