In spite of repeated cases of the confiscation of fake drugs and their destruction in public, the phenomenon seems to be resistant. Pharmacists, public authorities and other stakeholders in the medical sector have complained unceasingly against the constant commercialisation of fake drugs. Of late, it was the case of a renowned laboratory in Yaounde that reported instances of the arrest of some staff within the institution who infiltrated fake vaccines into their health care system. The real problem is not just the gamble that goes on around the health of people, it is being exasperated by the fact that those being affected are vulnerable.

When in poor health, very few people or their care-giver can have the patience to watch out on the quality of drugs being administered to their patients. Yet, the precaution is worthwhile and those who succeed in uncovering such diabolic acts ought to muster courage and denounce the perpetrators no matter the consequences. In actual fact, it is the height of cynicism when people trained to cater for the sick instead connive with dubious individuals to exploit and aggravate the poor health conditions of those already down cast. Unmasking such malicious people can only be hailed as noble no matter the risk involved.

At times, the situation is so dire that the International Police, INTERPOL has to be called to intervene given the widespread nature of the crime. There are often reported networks of smugglers involved in the marketing of fake drugs with their tentacles cutting across countries, making it difficult for any one nation to easily tackle the situation. It has been so worrisome that the organisation of weeklong activities to create awareness on the dangers of the circulation of fake drugs and the need to stem the tide has attracted much public attention.

People want to know how such drugs at times intermingle into the health system. Of course, such a question might never find an easy answer, but the fact that the government alongside partner institutions like the National Order of Pharmacists and similar structures need to combine efforts and deal a serious blow to the trend that might not have gained alarming proportions, but only one such occurrence can be damaging enough to whip up sentiments.

Consequently, people also need to avoid the negative habit of purchasing drugs from unorthodox locations and even when drugs are proposed by those certified to sell them, it would not be a wrong thing to verify their authenticity before administering such to any patient. After all, it is often said that prevention is better than cure.

Culled from Cameroon Tribune