Abstract

Confronted with spiraling cost of orthodox medicines and a high level of either treatment failure or poor patients’ satisfaction, herbal therapies have been presented as alternatives to orthodox therapies. They have are frequently registered by appropriate authorities and packaged in the forms of orthodox medications. On face value, these pathways may be quite healthy for the overall health service; however the so called “business of medicine” is notorious for sometimes putting profit over science. This paper takes a critical review of herbal patents in this regard.

Key words: Herbal therapies, herbal patents, dietary additives.