Contribution to the development of herbal medicine

Introduction

This initiative was a Triangular Cooperation effort, developed with the support of the ADELANTE Window, aimed at strengthening the research capacities and development of natural products of the Institute of Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences of the University of Havana in Cuba contribute in a very direct way to tackling the challenge of medicine shortages in Cuba by promoting the development of herbal medicine in Cuba.

Objectives

This Triangular Cooperation initiative was able to harness the knowledge of the Partnership's Provider entities regarding the scientific research of natural products and crop production in controlled environments, in order to create a model for the development of herbal medicine. The model involved maximising new technologies to ensure the introduction and supply of new plant-based medicines in Cuba's health system, with the aim of making this available to the international community.

Leveraging international expertise

To achieve this, the initiative drew on the expertise of the providers entities:

• University of Antwerp (UA, Belgium) 
• University of Namur (UNamur Belgium)
• National Polytechnic Institute (IPN Mexico)

The providers entities have extensive experience in scientific research on natural products for pharmacological use, having developed innovative techniques for the analysis and characterisation of medicinal plants and other biological products for the development of medicines of natural origin with easy-to-implement technologies to facilitate the transfer to Cuban Beneficiaries.

For this purpose the Partnership designed a process of capacity building, research and development that has been featured in a model, with the potential to be scaled up across the country and in any other territory that wished to implement it.

Academic collaboration and long-term impact

This Triangular Cooperation Initiative fostered a sustainable academic partnership, allowing knowledge exchange among participating universities and promoting long-term collaboration.

Through the support and and complementarity of the Partnership knowledge, this Initiative consolidated a collaboration method that enabled their member entities:

• Strengthened its capacity to research and develop natural products.
• Enhanced the skills of its faculty to deliver innovative plant cultivation techniques in controlled environments.
• Applied a model that meets the specific needs of the Cuban population, with the purpose of replicating the experience in similar contexts in the region.

By the transfer of these scientific techniques, experience and Knowledge this Initiative contributed to IFAL’s strategic goals, ensuring the development of herbal medicine in Cuba.

Project activities

This Initiative was structured around eight key activities, which, based on an initial assessment, aim to create opportunities for reflection and training in order to promote the development of herbal medicine in Cuba. 

Key activities included:

• Capacity building: internships and training sessions provided IFAL-UH staff with new scientific techniques and practical skills for herbal medicine production.
• Model implementation: creation of a comprehensive management model, tailored specifically for IFAL-UH academic staff, covering:
  • Innovative plant cultivation techniques.
  • Production methodologies for natural medicines.
  • Implementation of a pilot project producing an anti-inflammatory cream (Lippia alba Mill).
• Research collaboration: study visits in Cuba conducted comprehensive technical assessments at IFAL-UH, leading to:
  • Identification of infrastructure and technological needs.
  • Development of a roadmap for sustainable incorporation of new methodologies.
• Community engagement: a final seminar in Cuba engaged government officials, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical industry representatives, and academics to:
  • Present and discuss the management model for herbal medicine development.
  • Share research findings through scientific articles, expanding outreach within the medical and academic communities.

Cross-cutting themes

Throughout the initiative, a cross-cutting approach was applied, integrating:

• Gender equality
• Environmental sustainability
• Climate change considerations

These themes were highlighted through specific experience-sharing, incorporated into joint work sessions, and integrated into the final model of IFAL, addressing the challenges of medicine shortage in Cuba.

By strengthening IFAL, this initiative contributes to expanding access to quality medicina in Cuba and fostering long-term health systems resilience.

Results

Through this Triangular Cooperation Initiative, the knowledge and expertise of the Partnership's member entities in the field of herbal medicine was used to design management model for the development of universities and the application and production of herbal medicine, in addition to a Roadmap with concrete step to facilitated the appropriation of these new methodologies and techniques.

This product was shared in diverse academic platforms which allowed the scientific and academic community to establish contacts and synergies with official entities, something that proved to be essential in guaranteeing the impact and sustainability of the model to be applied.

Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The results of this Initiative have contributed and aligned with the SDG 3 Good Health and Well Being, particularly Targets:

• Target 3.8 ‘Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.’
• Target 3.B ‘Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and noncommunicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all.’

By enhancing research, improving academic training and laboratories infrastructure, and expanding access to medicines, this initiative contributes to an inclusive and sustainable health system.

Implementing partner

Institute of Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences of the University of Havana - IFAL-UH, in Cuba