Abstract

This article aimed at evaluating inter-regional differences in herbal drug policies, with a view to influencing such policies towards a more vibrant approach that will promote the registration, production and clinical trial of herbal remedies worldwide. The review drew attention to the impact of different national policies on the status and movement of herbal remedies in the world market and revealed a striking paradox - that about 80% of people in developing countries depended on herbs, but contributed only 7.2% to the trade in 1999. By contrast, the developed nations, where people relied less on herbs, contributed 55.2%. Asia, less Japan and South Korea, contributed 37.6%. Equally interesting is the comparison of Brazil with Nigeria. Both are rich in biodiversity and have high populations that depend substantially on herbs. However, while herbs contributed an unknown amount to the Nigerian economy in 2007, in Brazil it contributed US$ 160 million - a whopping 20% of Nigeria’s federal budget for health ($800 million) in 2007. These findings led us to conclude that developing countries need strategies that will promote herbal medicine. The comparison of Brazil with Nigeria revealed that with proper strategies herbal drugs can indeed contribute substantially to any economy.

Key words: Nigeria, phytotherapy, inter-regional differences, research, policy, development, developing countries, developed countries, herbal medicine.