Kenya’s leading medical organisation is challenging government plans to allow herbal medicines to be dispensed in public health institutions such as hospitals.

The 6000-member strong Kenya Medical Association (KMA) is concerned that the effectiveness of most herbal drugs has not been scientifically proven.

The country’s public health minister, Sam Ongeri recently announced that the government plans to introduce a bill in parliament regulating the handling of traditional medicine, and allowing its introduction in the country’s health institutions.

“Our position is that only properly researched drugs with proven medicinal value should be incorporated into evidence-based practice and provided in our public hospitals,” says KMA chairman, James Nyikal.

©: SciDev.Net 2002