Substandard and fake drugs problems in Kenya and Nigeria

Substandard and counterfeit medicines are becoming the single biggest threat to the health of Kenyans. Initially, malaria tablets and pain killers were the major cause for concern but recently, contraceptives, condoms and even tuberculosis medicines have joined the list, reports the local Daily Nation newspaper.

The presence of substandard TB drugs in the market, says the head of the leprosy, TB and lung diseases division at the Ministry of Health, James Sitienei, is the single biggest contributor to the emergence of Multi-Drug Resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

"The gains made in the treatment of TB in the past two decades have been reversed and Kenya is ranked 10th among 22 countries which host 80 per cent of the world's tuberculosis cases," he said. Kenya also has a significantly high number of the dreaded MDR-TB, with 401 cases recorded so far, though the World Health Organization says there are 2,016.

Dr Sitienei added that the major reason for the increase is the prevalence of substandard medicines and TB management services, mainly in the private sector. "We want the government to immediately order that all TB medicines be procured by the State," he stressed.

Of the 401 identified cases, only 84 are under the government treatment programme at a cost of Sh1.3 million each. Ministry of Medical Services Permanent Secretary Prof James ole Kiyiapi, said: This means over 300 patients are out there in the streets, working in crowded places and travelling in overcrowded matatus spreading the disease. This requires urgent Cabinet intervention."

NAFDAC losing war against fake drugs

Meantime the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Kano branch and the north-west branch, of the Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), have expressed disgust with the approach by the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in its fight against fake drugs, says the local newspaper This Day.

The groups described NAFDAC's approach as insincere, saying the agency is treating symptoms, while it neglects the root of the problem. The two unions spoke through their Chairman, Malam Ahmed Gana in Kano.
Mr Gana disclosed that, instead of arresting the problem of manufacturing fake drugs and their infiltration into the market, NAFDAC is busy organising seminars and "charging us exorbitant amounts. They should dismantle these open markets while government should give more subsidies."

He took a swipe at the NAFDAC for its lackadaisical approach that had left it in a state of helplessness, whereby it could not properly fight fake drugs like before, the newspaper reported.

Making reference to pharmacy and drug laws in Nigeria, as indicated in Decree 25 Section 2 (1), which stipulates penalty for those who sell drugs in unauthorized places, he expressed dissatisfaction with the NAFDAC for not doing enough in the fight against distribution and sale of fake and substandard drugs in the country.