Models of benefit-sharing policy : Opportunities and challenges in ensuring equitable natural product discovery in Africa

Neimark, Benjamin D. (2009) Models of benefit-sharing policy : Opportunities and challenges in ensuring equitable natural product discovery in Africa. In: African Natural Plant Products : New Discoveries and Challenges in Chemistry and Quality. ACS Symposium Series . American Chemical Society, pp. 537-548. ISBN 9780841269873

Abstract

Since the latter half of the 20th century, there have been a number of international and national agreements created for the purposes of distributing benefits derived from the commercialization of natural products and the protection of intellectual property rights. However, in Africa, there exist many challenges to the adoption, implementation and enforcement of the agreement at the national level. In this paper, I highlight different models that have been implemented across Africa. By identifying both the shortcomings and opportunities in current models, one can better seek to build more equitable partnerships in practice.