Prospects for Brazilian natural products

Interest in natural products as a source of bioactive substances seems to be on the rise again. The pharmaceutical industry, the largest and most visible segment that develops and sells products based on active principles, is undergoing changes that will probably affect its way of doing business and conducting research. Recourse to what is often referred to as "alternative medicine" has stimulated a surge in the consumption of phytomedicines and dietary supplements, while a growing awareness that the Earth's biodiversity is a valuable resource has provided a strong impetus for conservation and/or sustainable development of important ecosystems. Prospects for countries like Brazil, that are rich in natural products, could be very favorable if an institutional framework capable of linking researchers in the area with world markets can be organized.