Africa CSR & Health Forum 2024: Round table on the fight against fake medicines in Africa

The trafficking of fake medicines, responsible for thousands of deaths every year, remains a major health problem, particularly in Africa, where it accounts for 40% of reports worldwide. This scourge, which threatens public health and national security, fuels criminal networks and deprives the most vulnerable populations of reliable, life-saving treatments.

The round table brought together key players from the public and private sectors, including :

- Mr Assane Coulibaly, Chief Executive , Autorité Ivoirienne de Régulation Pharmaceutique (AIRP), Côte d'Ivoire

- Mr Kokou Wotobe, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, Togo

- Mr Khayar Kane, Access Manager SSA, Global Health Unit, Sanofi, West Africa 

- Ms Béatrice Garette, Managing Director, Pierre Fabre Foundation, France

- Ms Caroline Allheily, Head of International Affairs, LEEM, France

Moderated by Foulo Basse, Chief Executive of the Brazzaville Foundation, discussions focused on concrete strategies and actions to eradicate fake medicines and strengthen the security of African healthcare systems. Panellists shared experiences, challenges and best practices in the fight against this scourge, while highlighting current and future projects supported by their organisations.

Mr. Basse also took the opportunity to present the progress of the Lomé Initiative in the context of cooperation between the six signatory countries (Togo, Congo-Brazzaville, Uganda, Niger, Senegal and Ghana) and the pilot project led by Togo.