Evaluation of the Patentability of Medicines based on plants produced in Cameroon: Case of Yaounde

Objective: Assess the patentability of medicines based on plants produced in Cameroon. Materials and Methods: An analytical study, conducted at the Library of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I and the Directorate of Pharmacy, Drug and Laboratories (DPML) from November 2021 to June 2022. We conducted a consecutive and non-exhaustive sampling that allowed us to identify 51 drugs and evaluate 16 of them. After that, we proceeded to assess the patentability of our samples exclusively on the criteria of novelty, inventive ability and industrial application. Results: With regard to patentability, we obtained a patentability percentage of 75%, which shows that the potential for innovation in traditional medicine is enormous. Conclusion: Cameroon has a rich plant heritage with high therapeutic potential, which it is important to develop. The patent, provides researchers guaranteed and solutions for the protection and enhancement of their inventions.