Counterfeit Medicines On The Rise In Africa

By: Modupe Adeniyi. Freelance Health Reporter.

Map of Africa showing the location of Kenya

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2024. Africa faces a critical public health crisis as counterfeit and fraudulent medicines flood the continent's healthcare systems. Recent research reveals that up to one-fifth of medicines circulating in Africa may be fraudulent (fake and substandard), contributing to an estimated 500,000 deaths annually. This report explores the scope of the problem, its impact on public health and efforts to combat this silent epidemic.

The Scale of the Problem

A recent study by researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia examined 7,508 medication samples from 27 surveys across Africa. The findings were alarming and showed that 21% (1,639 samples) were substandard or falsified. This staggering statistic underscores the magnitude of the issue facing the continent.

Dr. Rupen Haria, a Nairobi pharmacist, warns that fraudulent medicines can lead to treatment failures and preventable deaths. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that such medications contribute to approximately 500,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa.

Kenya's Struggle with Counterfeit Drugs

Despite having a robust pharmaceutical industry, Kenya faces significant challenges with fraudulent and counterfeit drugs. While the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) reports a 1.42% prevalence of substandard medicines, independent studies suggest a more severe problem:

A 2018 survey by the National Quality Control Laboratories and PPB revealed that 12% of drugs marketed in Kenya were fraudulent or counterfeit or both while industry associations estimate that up to 30% of medicines in Kenya are fake with a black-market value of Sh15 billion.

Recent data from Rwanda's Food and Drug Authority (FDA) shows that over the last four years, Kenya was the fourth most prominent source of recalled drugs, representing 13.2% of total recalls. This revelation has raised questions about the efficacy of Kenya's drug regulatory framework.

The Consequences of Counterfeit Medicines Extend Beyond Immediate Health Risks:

• WHO data shows that caring for patients affected by substandard malaria medications costs between 12 and 44.7 million US dollars annually in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Substandard antibiotics contribute significantly to the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance.

• Treatment failures and preventable deaths occur due to ineffective medications.

Combating the Crisis in Response to the Challenges, Various stakeholders are taking action:

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has implemented a multi-faceted strategy, including

• Establishing regional offices with dedicated inspectors,

• Collaborating with customs officials at ports of entry

• Implementing the 'Pillscan' device for rapid, on-site screening of medicines

There has also been collaboration with the World Health Organization, including participation in a global alert system to share intelligence on substandard and falsified products while there has been an increase in public awareness campaigns highlighting signs of counterfeit medications and encouraging patients to obtain medicines from licensed outlets and report suspicious products.

A Continental Crisis

While Kenya's struggles are significant, the problem of counterfeit drugs is widespread across Africa. Malawi, for instance, was identified as having the highest proportion of poor-quality drugs in the Bahir Dar University study.

Dr. Haria points to systemic issues exacerbating the problem, including complex and inefficient pharma supply chains, reliance on a limited number of suppliers and challenges in policing quality.

The Way Forward

Addressing Africa's counterfeit drug crisis requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach. Experts recommend:

• Strengthening regulatory oversight, especially for online pharmacies and e-health platforms

•  Improving pharmaceutical supply chains and importation processes

•  Ensuring qualified professionals staff pharmacy outlets

• Enhancing public awareness and education

• Implementing stricter penalties for those involved in producing and distributing fake medications

As Africa grapples with this silent epidemic, continued vigilance, collaboration and innovative solutions will be crucial in safeguarding public health and ensuring access to safe, effective medicines for all.

Source: The Standard News 

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Published: SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

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