Mechanisms to be implemented to combat counterfeit drugs - random testing to be done – Health Minister

Source: Guyana Chronicle, 23rd June 2008

THE Ministry of Health intends to confront the growing health problem of counterfeit medicine by implementing measures to detect fake drugs.

Speaking at the Eighth Annual Pharmacists Convention, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, said labs will be established at local bonds to carry out random testing.

“Over the next two years, we will ensure that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can provide an amplified service to all of us. This isn’t helping you; it is what Guyana needs, and it is our obligation at the Ministry of Health to make that happen,” Minister Ramsammy said.

The Health Minister urged pharmacists to co-operate with the Ministry when these mechanisms are put in place.

He expressed confidence that members within the profession will not deliberately purchase or dispense fake medicine.

“If anyone were to come to me and say that there are operators of pharmacies that would deliberately procure and dispense counterfeit items, I would resist that suggestion. I would vouch that the profession in Guyana will not knowingly sell or provide counterfeit medicine and commodities,” Minister Ramsammy said.

Noting that there was a case in the private sector in 2006 where two fake malaria drugs were identified, the Health Minister said this was not an intentional act.

In his message for Commonwealth Pharmacy Day, Minister Ramsammy said the issue of counterfeit medicine is a major issue in public health. The World Health Organisation investigated more than 1,500 cases in 2007, compared to 150 in 2000.

A study done in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in South East Asia showed that between 1999 and 2004, more than 50 per cent of all anti-malarial drugs were fake.

Minister Ramsammy said at the recent Assembly, which he chaired, this matter was considered but no conclusions were come to. The issue will be raised for discussion at the next World Health Assembly, since “the supply of counterfeit medicines to patients is a serious crime that puts human lives at risk and undermines the credibility of health systems.”

More than 100 deaths were caused by counterfeit medicine in Panama in 2006.