Paper short abstract:

In this study, a comparative analysis of the development of traditional medical practises of two BRICS countries (China and South Africa) will be undertaken.

Paper long abstract:

China and Africa are endowed with a rich plant and animal biodiversity and an even richer knowledge of its traditional use as medicine. Given that an estimated 67% of new medicines introduced globally from 1981 - 2002 were derived from natural resources it should follow that these countries invest in biodiversity and traditional medicine. However, Africa has not managed to harness this knowledge to the same extent as China. In this study, a comparative analysis of the development of traditional medical practises of two BRICS countries (China and South Africa) will be undertaken. China has developed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into a globally exportable commodity in the multipolar world of public health, whilst South Africa has made little progress in this regard. Can South Africa advance its public health offering to include traditional medicine by learning from the Chinese experience?