Traditional medicines could be outlawed across Africa within two years

The agreement opens the door for the pharmaceutical industry to sell drugs to all the 55 nations of Africa, while regulating and possibly outlawing many traditional and alternative medicines throughout the continent.

One of its key supporters has been the US’s drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates kick-started the initiative back in 2005 with a donation of $12.5m through his charitable foundation.

The African Union’s Model Law on Medical Products Regulation has since had support from the European Union, the World Health Organization, the Clinton Foundation and the UK government.

Critics say the law is undemocratic as none of Africa’s countries have voted on it, or even have the right of veto, while choice of health care will be removed. Jeanne Viall of Africa’s Traditional & Natural Health Alliance, says: “This is law-making by decree, not democracy. The carrot of accessible and affordable pharmaceutical drugs is always dangled as the benefit, but…African and complementary medicine will be regulated under law.”

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