By Alex Villafania
INQUIRER.net
THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is planning to expand the local herbal products industry to reduce dependence on imported drugs.
In a press conference Wednesday, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Jaime Montoya said building the local herbal industry was aimed at reducing the cost of more expensive drugs and dependence on foreign imports
The use of herbal products for functional foods and personal care are major markets for the agency, Montoya said.
“There has been an emergence in threats from infectious diseases and disorders from differing lifestyles, thus there is a shift towards preventive measures for health protection,” Montoya said.
Montoya said in his presentation that the herbal products industry in the Philippines was worth 2 million dollars per year relative to the revenue of the pharmaceutical industry.
But this figure is only 3.5 percent of the total size of the pharmaceutical business, he said.
Montoya said that the Philippines was rich in flora that could be utilized for local herbal development.
There are 3,500 plant species endemic to the country and 120 species are scientifically validated to be usefu, he said.
Among the plant species that can be commercially expanded is a local chaste tree (Vitex nagundo) otherwise locally known as lagundi, which is useful against cough and asthma; ngai camphor (Blumea balsamifera) otherwise known as sambong useful against kidney stones; wild mint (Mentha cordifolia) or yerba buena for pain relief; and candlebrush (Cassia alata) as an anti-fungal medication.
Montoya identified other plant species that could be processed and commercially sold. Some of these are used for skin and hair care, as well as food products such as fortified health drinks.
“Apart from the local market, our herbal products can be exported to Malaysia, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong,” Montoya said.
Among the plans of the PCHRD include starting research and development studies and intensifying current research on plant development and their viability for human consumption, said Montoya.
In particular, the PCHRD will conduct and prioritize research on unique diseases in the Philippines and finding the corresponding species of plants that can prevent these diseases from spreading, Montoya said.
“We would also increase information dissemination among R&D institutions across the country so we can build a database of commercially viable herbal products,” Montoya said.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I hope they research, develop and cultivate herbal medicines that are proven by proper double-blind tests to be effective and safe. It galls me to see commercial after commercial on TV of herbal “remedies” making grandiose claims and then add a token disclaimer near the end of the ad (if at all) that the product does not make “proven therapeutic claims.” I would expect that the government agencies like the BFAD to at least stop those who peddle snake oil from making such claims.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:33 am
About time we do extensive research and development of our own herbal and indigenous plants with therapeutic potential. We have been so dependent on the multinationals that we have forgotten to develop our own resources or we refuse to and /or turn a blind eye. We are rich in resources but support is wanting and the interest therefore becomes tepid. If the government and other private institutions can join hands, we can stem the tide of brain drain and professional exodus. If we can dream, we can achieve.