Associated Press

France’s Macron, African leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities

Al Jazeera

World leaders launch programme to boost vaccine production in Africa

According to a recently published study, as much as one-fifth of medicines in Africa could be substandard or fake, resulting in failed treatments and preventable deaths.

Guardian

Researchers from Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar University reviewed 27 studies and analyzed about 7,508 medicine samples. At least 1,639 samples failed quality tests, indicating that substandard and falsified medicines are prevalent in Africa.

Pubmed

The researchers linked the high proportion of substandard or falsified medicines to poor surveillance systems, high demand, and free trade zones in the region.

Nairametrics

Substandard medicines are legally approved but may not meet required quality standards, while falsified medicines intentionally lie about their identity, composition, or source.

WION

A UN report last year revealed that substandard and falsified antimalarial medicines and antibiotics have caused over 450K deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa.

A previous study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 10% of medical products — from cancer treatment to contraception — in developing countries are either substandard or falsified.

Associated Press #1

Al Jazeera #1

According to a recently published study, one-fifth of medicines in Africa could be substandard or fake and can result in failed treatments and preventable deaths.

Guardian #4320

Pubmed #

The researchers linked the high proportion of substandard or falsified medicines to poor surveillance systems, higher demand, and free trade zones in the region.

Nairametrics #

Substandard medicines are legally approved but may not meet required quality standards. Falsified medicines intentionally lie about their identity, composition, or source.

WION #

UN #

WHO #

While the study's findings are worrying, Africa isn’t manufacturing subpar or counterfeit medicines. Countries outside of the continent, such as China and India, are the producers and suppliers of fake medicines. This is a global public health crisis, and asking only African stakeholders to fix this problem is unfair.

Global Initiative

Global Initiative #

Fake drugs, real impact: Western Asia’s counterfeit medicine epidemic

This study raises the alarm over a public health crisis that could be contributing to the deaths of countless patients in low- and middle-income countries. Besides increasing public awareness, the stakeholders must strengthen supply chains and improve logistical issues to prevent, detect, and respond to substandard and falsified medicines.

Turkiye Today

Turkiye Today #

20% of medicines in Africa found to be substandard or fake

Spencer Platt/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

Study: 20% of Medicines in Africa Either Substandard or Fake

Medicine & healthcare

Diseases & conditions

Africa

This study raises the alarm over a public health crisis that could be contributing to the deaths of countless patients in low- and middle-income countries. Besides increasing public awareness, stakeholders must strengthen supply chains and improve logistical issues to prevent, detect, and respond to substandard and falsified medicines.

While the study's findings are worrying, Africa isn’t manufacturing subpar or counterfeit medicines. Countries outside of the continent, such as China and India, are the producers and suppliers of fake medicines. This is a global public health crisis, and putting the emphasis only on African stakeholders to fix this problem is unfair.

Study: 20% of Medicines in Africa Either Substandard or Fake

Study: 20% of Medicines in Africa Either Substandard or Fake

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Study: 20% of Medicines in Africa Either Substandard or Fake

Study: 20% of Medicines in Africa Either Substandard or Fake

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