Every fifth drug in Africa is of poor quality, or counterfeit
Researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia analyzed 7.508 drug samples, and of that number, 1.639 failed to meet quality standards in at least one test, the London Guardian reports today.
A fifth of medicines in Africa do not meet quality standards or are counterfeit, a major survey shows, raising fears that the problem could lead to numerous deaths in the sub-Saharan region.
Researchers from Bahir Dar University in Ethiopia analyzed 7.508 drug samples, and of that number, 1.639 failed to meet quality standards in at least one test, the London Guardian reports today.
Claudia Martínez, leader of the research, from the non-profit foundation "Access to Medicines" from Amsterdam, states that such a discovery is a cause of great concern for public health.
Estimates published last year by the UN Office show that such drugs cause up to 500.000 deaths a year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that antibiotics or anti-malarial drugs are often counterfeited in Africa.
