The active ingredient has been isolated from a traditional medicine that treats fish poisoning afflicting thousands of Pacific peoples.

Complementary medicine has saved the Peruvian government US$8 million in the last ten years, says a study.

Excitement about the potential of a plant root extract to combat swine flu is brought down to earth by a pandemics expert.

A successful bid by Peru to block patents based on its indigenous knowledge could inspire other nations in the fight against biopiracy.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the traditional Amazonian medicine 'cat's claw' show promise in treating dengue fever, say scientists.

The Indian government has made thousands of traditional medicines public property to curb patents by foreign companies.

Peru has modified its intellectual property laws to bolster a trade deal with the US — but critics say the move could encourage biopiracy.

Laws to ensure native communities retain the rights to local knowledge are in reality a barrier to progress, says a report.

Xechem International, the US-based company that owns the rights to a promising sickle cell anaemia treatment, has filed for bankruptcy.

A Chinese company is suing the government for refusing to license its "effective" herbal HIV treatment.

Production of a herbal-based sickle cell anaemia drug could be under threat as the companies involved are surrounded by allegations of corruption.

Clinical trials of a traditional medicine to treat HIV are set to begin this month in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

China has launched a long-term development plan to boost research and innovation in traditional Chinese medicine.

Delegates at a meeting in Congo last week urged African governments to integrate traditional medicine into their public health systems.

An anti-inflammatory drug based on a Brazilian plant that is traditionally used by local people is ready to be sold on the market.

Developing countries need to be more realistic if they want to profit from drugs made from their natural resources, says a United Nations University researcher.