A local herbal researcher says Zambia has the capacity to earn foreign exchange through herbal medicines.
Howard Maila says the country has effective herbs that can help reduce the country’s disease burden.
He has appealed to fellow researchers, scientists and herbalists to work together and foster research in herbs if the high cost of acquiring generic medicines is to be reduced.
Mr. Maila, a herbal scientist says herbalists have not done enough to help government fight numerous diseases that have had a negative impact on the country’s economy.
Mr. Maila says with the increasing levels of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, herbalists can help contain the levels.
Mr. Maila is also appealing to government to learn from China and seriously consider subjecting herbs to clinical and other tests to help reduce the cost of acquiring generic medicines.
