[Fake malaria drugs].
The literature on fake medicaments is sparse, even if approximately 15% of all medicaments are fake, a figure that for antimalarials in particular reaches 50% in parts of Africa and Asia. Sub-standard and fake medicines deplete the public's confidence in health systems, health professionals and in the pharmaceutical industry - and increase the risk that resistance develops. For a traveller coming from a rich Western country, choosing to buy e.g. preventive antimalarials over the internet or in poor malaria-endemic areas, the consequences may be fatal. International trade-, control- and police-collaboration is needed to manage the problem, as is the fight against poverty and poor governance.
Bygbjerg
Ib Christian
IC
Københavns Universitit, Institut for International Sundhed, Immunologi og Mikrobiologi, Center for Sundhed og Samfund, DK-1410 København K. IBY@sund.ku.dk
D000962:Antimalarials / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003132:Commerce; D016527:Drug Costs; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D011203:Poverty
D000962:Antimalarials