Mmegi

CIPA moves to protect traditional medicine IP

Heritage captured: Traditional medicine on display at the workshop on Wednesday
Heritage captured: Traditional medicine on display at the workshop on Wednesday

In a move to preserve and protect the rich heritage of traditional medicine, the Companies and Intellectual Properties Authority (CIPA) has launched a new initiative focusing on the Intellectual Property (IP) rights of indigenous medicinal knowledge.

Through the IP and traditional medicine project, CIPA has identified 25 local traditional doctors who will be assisted in commercialising their products while maintaining control over their intellectual property.

The groundbreaking project aims to produce the first commercial projects by November, which will mark a significant milestone in the journey towards recognising and valuing the contributions of traditional healers.

Editor's Comment
Get back what was stolen, and lock the door

That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up