Page 118 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

unit published a book 'The South African Herbal contributed to the health disparities experienced
Pharmacopoeia: Monographs of Medicinal and by Black South Africans. Despite the challenges
Aromatic Plants' which is a comprehensive, up- posed by our history, the unit remains committed to
to-date literature review of 25 medicinal plants making efforts to reclaim and revitalise traditional
of South Africa, with in-house developed quality knowledge about medicinal plants in the country,
control protocols for chemical fingerprinting and as well as promote their safe use for primary
biomarker identification, as well as updated safety healthcare. There is a growing need to incorporate
profiles. Academic research in pharmacy and traditional medicines into the broader healthcare
analytical chemistry will benefit from the detailed system and the unit seeks to make traditional
chemical profiles of each species documented. medicines more acceptable by establishing quality
Industrial manufacturers of herbal products, standards as well as confirming efficacy and safety,
herbal medicines, cosmetics, food supplements, through laboratory testing.
and national and international policymakers and Furthermore, historically, the education, training
regulators will also benefit from the 25 book and research in medicinal plant research has not
chapters produced. The Unit Director took the been rendered due attention and support. The unit
initiative to market the book and ongoing research therefore commits to further improving capacity
at both national and international levels, through development through postgraduate training
presentations under the themes: 'Compiling the first and empowering academic staff while targeting
South African Herbal Pharmacopoeia – an important previously disadvantaged populations.
step in the globalisation of South African medicinal
plants' and 'The application of classic and modern Lastly, Botany departments have been at the
pharmacognosy in monographing African traditional forefront of pharmacognosy research in South Africa,
medicines – a botanical travelogue'. while pharmacy schools have not embraced this
opportunity. The unit aims to advocate for the
In celebration of 30 years of integration of traditional medicine into pharmacy
democracy in South Africa curricula for the profession to acknowledge the
value of traditional healing practices which has the
The lack of access to healthcare services, combined potential to inform healthcare practice, policy, and
with the erosion of traditional healing practices, regulation in the country.

116 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2023-24