When Dr. Roberts from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital made the startling statement that, marketers of drugs in West Africa are selling not only drugs but also coffins. I couldn't help but reevaluate my perception of the pharmaceutical industry. While it is undeniable that big pharma has played a significant role in the development of healthcare in Africa and beyond. The applause, in my opinion, should go alongside the condemnation.
In 2009, Nigeria witnessed the tragic deaths of 84 children due to a teething syrup that contained an industrial solvent known as diethylene glycol which is commonly found in antifreeze and brake fluid. Six years later, over 1,000 individuals were hospitalized in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to experiencing poisonous reactions caused by counterfeit substances.
Expanding on the previous concerns, recent research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed a troubling statistic: approximately 1 in 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries are of substandard quality or counterfeit. This finding shed light on the darker side of the pharmaceutical industry.
Every year, 120,000 children under the age of five die in Africa because of counterfeit antimalarial medicine.
Brazzaville Foundation
Although there are proponents of reputable overseas industries, the practice of drug donations to address Africa's health needs has faced significant scrutiny. Detractors argue that this approach undermines local production on the continent, fosters dependency on external aid, and poses a potential threat to the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems.
Furthermore, certain quarters have raised ethical concerns regarding the pilot study conducted in Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya for the new malaria RTS, S vaccine. Informed consent and the potential exploitation of vulnerable populations have been points of contention. Notably, Charles Weijer, a bioethicist at Western University in Canada, stated that the study "...is a serious breach of international ethical standards."
Pharmaceutical industries have been the subject of several controversies, ranging from high drug prices and patents to high licensing fees which have hindered the production of generic medicines, making these drugs less affordable or inaccessible for many Africans who rely on cheaper alternatives.
On a personal note, I have yet to find a convincing explanation as to why drugs primarily treat the symptoms of a disease and not its eradication. The truth is, once the diseases are eliminated, the pharmaceutical world could face the possibility of going under.
Reference: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2017-1-in-10-medical-products-in-developing-countries-is-substandard-or-falsified
