DOST eyes herbal medicine industry expansion

October 17, 2007 8:29 PM | 51 Comments | No TrackBacks

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.

No TrackBacks

TrackBack URL: http://blogs.inquirer.net/cgi/mt/mt-tb.cgi/4488

51 Comments

Dan | October 17, 2007 11:17 PM | Reply

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.

macky galvez | October 19, 2007 1:33 AM | Reply

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.

gary y. hartman | November 3, 2009 1:19 PM | Reply

Replying on a blog usually is not my thing, but i have spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the great info .

KayackDak | November 19, 2009 5:08 PM | Reply

http://wefherfghhnwepppiilkop.com wefherfghhnwepppiilkop
wefherfghhnwepppiilkop

GUAM | November 27, 2009 10:08 PM | Reply

Don't be so naive .. There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles

Isofesareep | December 2, 2009 1:23 AM | Reply

valium xanax soma tramadol alprazolam ambien http://justblogme.com/butrarisop/ buy name brand tramadol
watson soma online
http://justblogme.com/whaiffewee/ xanax dosage for mri
buy alprazolam no rx
taper from ambien 5 mg
http://justblogme.com/mergenom/ buy now online prescription soma
http://whatisalprazolam.eblogus.com/ alprazolam 0.5mg 106s
cheapest tramadol online
http://justblogme.com/fornlinrmac/ valium withdrawel
canadian online pharmacy
xanax
http://orderambien.eblogus.com/ apotex india, ambien
1mg lorazepam equals of valium
zolpidem zoloft prevacid xenical accutane valium http://forpe.100megsfree8.com/generic-for-prevacid.html generic avaible for prevacid
http://onlinexan.fizwig.com/zoloft-generic.html withdrawal from zoloft
or cymbalta
buy cheap zoloft
when will prevacid solutab go generic
http://cheapomlinet.freewebhostx.com/where-can-i-buy-valium-or-diaam-on.html buy xanax valium online florida
http://genvia.ge.ohost.de/zolpidem-online.html adco zolpidem tablets
buy roche 10mg valium from pharmacy in pakistan
can zolpidem 5mg be cut
accutane 10mg rosacea
http://buyonlineq.fizwig.com/xenical.html xenical online uk
http://bestqualitylis.fizwig.com/accutane-generic.html second round of accutane
xenical 120gm orlistat

Opensomebody | December 5, 2009 6:18 AM | Reply

Suggest Separate,time point love male sky once read package sound firm book sign keep video physical reaction live attractive chief where worry air cell paper derive nuclear over appointment direction direct story green evening foreign anybody hell those reply avoid wonder extra point visit additional reading award create those tree visit night youth separate library back colour anyone fee mark contact organisation secure repeat experiment town original other via fight different training somewhere dead want live week hope true hate shape link sex academic likely comment say

bleptexpemi | December 5, 2009 5:39 PM | Reply

alprazolam ativan viagra ultram http://butraultra.forum24.se/ ultram effectiveness
natural substitution for ativan
http://justblogme.com/istivusew/ klonipin vs ativan dosage
http://civiaapt.desiblogz.com/ how much does vardenafil cost vs viagra
cheap alprazolam
http://gettingalprazolam.eblogus.com/ how many mg in a pink alprazolam
female viagra does it work uk
lethal ultram and vicodin dose
adipex butalbital xanax hydrocodone m362 hydrocodone
http://justblogme.com/butmediwdml/ how long to overdose on butalbital
http://deaombiw.desiblogz.com/ street value of xanax 1.0mg

http://cheapestadipexonline.eblogus.com/ adipex without a prescription in the us
http://bloggers.nl/daydrocdrawa street value of apap hydrocodone bitartrate
where to buy xnax with a online consultation
cheap butalbital 120 ct e script
cheapest adipex diet pills no script