Development gap 'widened' by counterfeit drugs
Counterfeit drugs are widening the gap between the developed and developing worlds
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Monday, 21, Aug 2006 08:12
Developing countries are paying the price for rising numbers of counterfeit drugs, a report published today has claimed.
The assertion comes in a review of the current counterfeit anti-infective drug problem by a group of international doctors, published in today's Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.
It argues that the already broad disparity in public health levels between poorly developed nations in Asia and Africa and the more affluent western nations is being made worse by illegal pharmaceutical products.
The exact extent of the counterfeit drugs problem is a matter of controversy among global development experts, with estimates ranging from one per cent to 50 per cent of the entire market.
As the report points out, however, "even one per cent of global production would affect millions of people".
"Counterfeit drugs particularly affect the most disadvantaged people in poor countries," the article states.
"Advances in forensic chemical analysis and simple field tests will enhance drug quality monitoring," it claims, before warning that action is needed by the international community to help undermine the spread of counterfeit drugs.
Among the responses required are strengthened confidence in drug regulatory authorities, greater accountability and law enforcement, more international cooperation and "determined political leadership".
A recent report on counterfeit drugs by the World Health Organisation quoted in the Lancet study found that the "scale of the problem… is shrouded in ignorance, confusion and denial".