Published October 20, 2022 / Public health
Gambia: The fight against medicines that kill accelerates

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of falsified and substandard medicines (FSM) has caused the death of at least 66 young children in The Gambia. The Brazzaville Foundation, leader of the Lomé Initiative against medicines that kill and member of the Fight the Fakes Alliance, supports the Gambia and reiterates its commitment to fight against this deadly trafficking .
Caption: WHO has advised drug regulatory authorities to stop the sale of four cough syrups, © WHO.
On Wednesday, October 5, WHO issued a worldwide global alert concerning cough and cold syrups that "may be linked to acute kidney injury and the deaths of 66 children", said its Chief Executive, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In response to these tragic events, President Adama Barrow announced on Friday October 7 the creation of a quality control laboratory and more measures to protect against the importation of counterfeit products. As a reminder, Africa is heavily dependent on imported medicines. According to a study conducted by McKinsey in 2019, 70% to 90% of medicines consumed in sub-Saharan Africa are imported.
trafficking of falsified and substandard medicines is a global health scourge, especially in Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is extremely hard hit by this trafficking : 42% of trafficking reports to the WHO's global surveillance system come from the region. The circulation and sale of FSM also represents a challenge in terms of security, the rule of law and health economics.
Brazzaville Foundation supports the Republic of the Gambia's application to join the Lomé Initiative against medicines that kill, and joins the the declaration of the Fight the Fakes Alliance to mobilize the international community to guarantee access to quality medicines.
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