Research (CSIR), of appetite-suppressant extracts prepared from H. gordonii
(Masson) Sweet ex Decne. and H. pilifera(L. f.) Plowes.^41 Two pregnane
glycosides, one of which (Figure 5. 7) was shown to have appetite-
suppressant activity, have since been isolated from both species.^42 The
patenting of extracts of Hoodia prompted widespread criticism that San
traditional ethnomedical knowledge had been neither recognised nor
rewarded.^43 A Memorandum of Understanding, subsequently drawn up and
signed by representatives of the South African San Council and the CSIR,
now provides for royalties and other financial payments to the San peoples
of southern Africa. To date the San Council has received an amount of R560
000 (about £35 000), but further payments will depend on whether multi-
national pharmaceutical company Pfizer or UK-based herbal medicines
company Phytopharm, both of which have licensing agreements with the
CSIR for the development of Hoodiaproducts as appetite suppressants,
achieve this goal.
With the current drive to bring more San traditional medicines, e.g.
cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R. Br.; Fabaceae), into the
commercial arena,^44 it has become increasingly important to ensure that the
IP of this now-scattered nation is appropriately acknowledged.
Adequate resource allocation for traditional medical practice development
Data for state, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and private sector
spending on traditional medical practice development in states of the WHO
African Region are scanty. According to Kasilo et al,^12 the percentage of total
health expenditure on TPs is 2.19% (Malawi), 4.31% (Rwanda) and 1.46%
(Uganda). Research related to traditional medical practice is conducted in
78% of states and local production of TMs in 50%, although the source of
funding for neither is specified. In South Africa, the Ministries of Health (via
the South African Medical Research Council) and Science/Technology (via the
South African National Research Foundation) provide support funding for
TM research and development. In most African states, no public financing
102 | Traditional medicine
Figure 5.7 Appetite-suppressant pregnane glycoside isolated from Hoodia gordoniiand
H. pilifera.