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Kenya: Fake Medicines Flood Market

East African Standard (Nairobi)

25 June 2007
Ayoki Onyango

The chilling reality that almost a half of pharmaceutical products in the market are counterfeits should get the public worrying.

And some of the dealers in these counterfeit products are dangerous drug peddlers.

The massive circulation of these illegal products shows there is a serious problem in controlling importation and manufacturing of fake goods.

"Locally manufactured products are too expensive for many Kenyans who live below the poverty line. This has created room for massive circulation and sale of counterfeit products," says Mr Narshibhai Ghedia, managing director of Kenya Laboratory Supply Centre.

This has exposed the public to health hazards, including death. Experts say consumption of counterfeit medicines usually results in drug resistance.

A dermatologist, Dr Nicholas Ochieng', for example, warns that users of such cosmetics risk contracting skin diseases.

His advice to those fond of trying new products is that cosmetics are medicines and should be used on prescription by a medical expert.

Experts warn that unscrupulous dealers might soon start importing counterfeit antiretrovirals.

Dangerous criminals

And the problem is not limited to pharmaceuticals. Experts and businessmen say about 20 per cent of consumable products such as alcohol are fake.

Most of these counterfeits are imported from Asia, especially India, China and Pakistan, while some come from underhand dealers in Europe. Some are labelled in languages other than English, and users can therefore not follow the instructions. Their sale has also resulted in loses to the local manufacturers.

To curb the problem, bodies responsible for monitoring products should be strengthened.

Mr James Alai, a pharmacist with Guru Nanak Hospital, says the Government should allow for the establishment of private chemists at all public hospitals, which should sell drugs at controlled, affordable prices.

Investigation reveals that whenever there is an outcry over the circulation of fake products, the fraudsters clear their counters only to return the products when things cool down.

Most supermarket operators fear disclosing the identity of the dishonest dealers, saying some are dangerous criminals who can do anything to eliminate anyone standing in their path.

Managers at major local manufacturing firms say theirs is a business guided by social responsibility. "The well being of the customer comes first and it all involves ethics," Mr John Otieno of Unilever told The Big Issue.

However, he admits that many unscrupulous businesspeople copy Unilever brands and logo to pack or manufacture fake products.

"They are confusing the public since people know our products are of higher quality," says Otieno.

"This means there are those who earn profits by manufacturing, marketing and selling high quality products through extensive research and those who thrive in selling counterfeits. The public should be aware of these fake products, which are also dangerous."

Import generics

Mr Josia Kamau, an importer of pharmaceutical products form Asian countries, says multi-national companies should encourage parallel importation, which is allowed by law.

"Multi-national drug firms should be practical and even donate some money and equipment for detecting substandard drugs," says Kamau.

Importation of generics should also be encouraged. Unlike what many believe, generics and counterfeit are not synonymous. Generics are meant to make otherwise expensive drugs affordable, and are accepted all over the world. Companies other than the original patent holders, on permission, manufacture them.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya and Kenya Association of Pharmaceutical Industry are trying to fight the problem.

Every year, they educate the public on the importance of taking the right medicines in the prescribed dosage.

In July, medical experts create awareness on drugs for common diseases like malaria, HIV/Aids and tuberculosis. They also educate the public on nutrition and over-the-counter prescriptions.

A medical consultant, Dr Walter Okok, says the pharmaceutical industry supports legislation that serves the patients' interests.