MEDICINAL-PLANTS

Medicinal plants continue to be of use for the treatment of disease on a world-wide basis. Plants are a logical source for new drug discover y and currently many thousands are being screened for biological activ ities in order to develop new drug entities. In recent years novel ant icancer and antimalarial drugs have been developed from plant sources. Although there are many potent and specific drugs available today for the treatment of disease, there is a public swing to alternative/comp lementary medicine, including the use of herbal medicines, in develope d countries, The sale of herbal products in Europe during 1992 was US$ 1.4 billion. The majority of herbal products on sale in the UK are not licensed as medicines and are nor assessed for their quality, safety, and efficacy as are licensed medicines. This is a matter for concern to both consumers and health-care professionals. Many of the world's p opulation cannot afford medicines and rely on traditional systems of m edicine which are mainly plant based. These medicinal plants require i nvestigation in collaborative research programmes between scientists i n developed and developing countries. The demand for medicinal plants is contributing to the loss of plant species and future demands should be met from cultivated sustainable species.