1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

In February,2008, a combined team of International Police and World Health Organization officials alongside some Chinese Authorities arrested some dealers of fake anti-malaria drugs in some cities of Southern China.
According to report, the Global fake drugs market business is worth more than $40 billion a year. Much of these counterfeit drugs , which largely contain some maize flour and some unusual components, are usually found in poor Asian and African markets.

The efforts of food and Drug agencies in West Africa, particularly Nigeria has brought the business down in recent years, but the situation is still far from being eradicated. Greedy and unscrupulous businessmen usually collude with drug manufacturers in India , China, Pakistan and the likes to produce fake and substandard drugs for the West African markets. They either reduce the active major components and add up fake substances or they do not even put these active components at all. The West African business men and women in their own greedy nature will accept and purchase these drugs and then sell them to unsuspecting consumers, without such drugs going through proper medical examinations.

Fake anti-malaria drugs have been the most noticeable among such illicit drugs. Millions of West Africans have died as a result of prolonged usage of these fake drugs.
The efforts of Chinese authorities to curtail the situation is commendable .Apart from recent arrests of fake drugs merchants and the seizures of the counterfeit drugs, the Chinese Authorities in July 2007,also convicted and executed the former director of China's Food and Drugs Agency- Mr Zheng Xiaoyu, for taking $1 million in bribes from pharmaceutical firms in return for approving substandard drugs for distribution.

It will be significantly helpful if the war started in China can be extended to other countries. West Africa has remain the biggest breeding grounds for mosquitoes, as a matter of fact, fumigation of mosquito infested areas are necessary. Anti malaria drugs must be properly subjected to medical examinations before they are sent to markets or drug stores while those that are found to be unwholesome and substandard should be discarded off appropriately.

Learn more about this author, Tunde Adelakun.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The threat to life of fake anti-malaria drugs in Africa?
We want to hear your view. Write now!