Page 13 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

GENERAL INFORMATION

Programme, has driven a variety of initiatives, IKS/Plant-based Medicines Ecosystem
together with partners and other funders, to build African traditional medicines (ATMs) have been a
and support a coherent and functioning medical cornerstone of healthcare for centuries, yet they
devices ecosystem, as depicted in the figure below. remain underappreciated and underutilised in

Through GHIA, MeDDIC, and various research and modern health systems. With the challenges facing
product development grant programs, the SAMRC mainstream healthcare in South Africa and across
supports early discovery to identify appropriate the continent, there is an urgent need to recognise
biomarkers, device and diagnostic development, the potential of indigenous knowledge systems
proof of concept and testing of new medical (IKS) not only to improve health outcomes but also
devices and diagnostics. MeDDIC funds regulatory to boost the economy. For many, particularly in rural
support for innovators as well as access to technical areas, traditional medicines serve as the first line of
support from service providers to the sector. The treatment. These remedies, rooted in centuries of
programme also hosts and convenes a national practice and observation, are used to manage pain,
build immunity, treat wounds, and cure diseases.
Medical Devices Stakeholder Forum and compiles Despite this, scepticism abounds, primarily because
and makes available information on the sector these medicines have not always been validated by
through the MeDDIC website and the medical modern scientific methods.
devices portal on the Innovation Bridge platform.
These initiatives, made possible through the funders The SAMRC is playing a role in unlocking the potential
and implementing partners listed in the diagram, of traditional medicines to improve health as part of
are ensuring that more innovations initiated and a broader national initiative led by the Department
developed in South Africa and right for the local of Science, Technology, and Innovation and co-
context are successfully deployed to address key supported by the Technology Innovation Agency, by
health needs in South Africa and beyond. supporting a suite of initiatives to establish a validated

SMEs, Innovators, Universities & Science Councils CUT • CSIR • Industry

Manufacturing
Clinical Trial/ Technical File Product Market
Field Validation Process Development Registration Introduction
Development

science & innovation
Department:
Science and Innovation
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25 11