According to the World Health Organization (WHO), counterfeit drugs are on the rise in developing countries as a result of the quarantine pandemic. The BBC has discovered that counterfeit medicines are being sold in Africa, where there is a shortage of certain drugs. The WHO has warned that the use of such products can have serious health consequences. One of the organization’s experts said this situation could lead to another pandemic – of substandard or counterfeit drugs.
People around the world are stockpiling essential medicines. China and India, the two largest producers of medical supplies, are under quarantine and demand outstrips supply, resulting in a proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the market. When WHO announced the coronavirus pandemic, Interpol’s international operation “Pangea” resulted in 121 arrests in 90 countries within seven days. Law enforcement officials seized $14 million worth of dangerous pharmaceuticals. Police officers from Malaysia to Mozambique seized tens of thousands of drugs, many of which promised to cure Covid-19.
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In March, Interpol seized 34,000 counterfeit or substandard medical masks. “The illegal trade in counterfeit medical products during a health crisis shows a complete disregard for human life,” said Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock. According to the WHO, the total trade in counterfeit medicines in low- and middle-income countries, including medicines that may be contaminated, contain inappropriate ingredients, lack active ingredients, or have expired, is estimated at more than $30 billion. “At best, counterfeit medicines are unlikely to help treat the disease for which they are intended,” says Pernette Bourdillon Esteve of the WHO, who focuses on combating the spread of counterfeit medical products. “At worst, they can be harmful because they may contain something toxic.”
The global pharmaceutical industry is estimated to be worth more than $1 trillion. Extensive supply chains extend from manufacturers in countries such as China and India, to packaging warehouses in Europe, South America, and Asia, to distributors that sell medicines to countries around the world. “Perhaps no industry compares to the pharmaceutical industry in terms of globalization,” said Estev. “But as the world implements quarantine measures, supply chains have begun to break down.” Several Indian companies have told the BBC that they are operating at only 50-60% of their capacity. Considering that Indian companies supply 20% of essential medicines to Africa, countries in the region are already experiencing shortages.
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Pharmacologist Ephraim Firi from Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, says the shortage is already being felt. “The medicine is running out and we are not replenishing it. There is nothing we can do about it. It has become extremely difficult to ensure supplies…especially when it comes to important drugs like antibiotics and anti-malarials,” he said. Manufacturers and suppliers are also struggling as the cost of ingredients used to make medicines has skyrocketed, making it difficult for some companies to stay afloat. One of the manufacturers in Pakistan said he used to order the raw materials needed to make the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine at a price of $100 per kilogram. But now the price has risen to $1150.
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The WHO has repeatedly stated that there is no substantial evidence that the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine is effective against the virus that causes Covid-19. As countries implement quarantine measures, the problem is not just one of reduced production. Demand for medical supplies continues to grow worldwide as people restock their home medicine cabinets. Because of the current situation, where supply has decreased and demand has increased, the WHO has warned of a dangerous increase in the production and sale of counterfeit medicines. “When demand is not met by supply, it creates an environment where low-quality or counterfeit drugs try to fill that niche,” Estev explained. Pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies around the world are sounding the alarm about a possible shortage of antimalarial drugs. After U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned in his briefing the possible effectiveness of the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and its derivative hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of Covid-19, demand for these drugs skyrocketed worldwide.
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Counterfeit antimalarial drugs have been discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The WHO has repeatedly stated that there is no substantial evidence that the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine is effective against the virus that causes Covid-19. Despite this, Donald Trump said at a recent press conference, “What do you have to lose? Take it.” Following a sharp increase in demand for BBC drugs, a large quantity of counterfeit chloroquine has been detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. WHO has also detected the sale of counterfeit medicines in Niger. Chloroquine, which is used to treat malaria, is usually sold at a price of $40 for a thousand tablets. However, it has been reported that in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), pharmacies are selling it for $250.
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We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what happens next. The number of offers should remain: episodes. End of story: Podcast Advertising. The alleged drug being sold was supposedly manufactured in Belgium by the company Brown and Burk Pharmaceutical Limited. However, the British registered company, Brown and Burk Pharmaceutical Limited, claimed to have no connection to this drug. “We do not manufacture this drug. It is a counterfeit,” the company said. Oxford University counterfeit medicines expert Paul Newton has warned that the spread of counterfeit and dangerous medicines will continue to grow amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic unless governments around the world unite in the fight against the phenomenon. “There is a risk of a new pandemic emerging at the same time – the widespread distribution of low-quality counterfeit products – if we do not establish a globally coordinated plan for the coordinated production, fair distribution and quality control of tests, medicines and vaccines. Otherwise, the benefits of modern medicine will be lost,” he warned.
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