E-drug: Drug Testing in Developing Countries (cont)
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The contribution from Dr S. K. Sharif (Mombasa, Kenya) on this matter
makes depressing reading, but is a part of the reality in developing
countries. While many people will accept that in many public
institutions in developing countries 'corruption is endemic', and
that there is a gross lack of appropriately trained personnel,
and appropriate infrastructure, etc, it is worth stating that
many governments do have regulations in place to safe- guard the
health of their citizens.
What they lack are the people, the tools and support (government,
public, etc) to enforce these kind of regulations.In spite of these
'limitations',
there are concerned people within these institutions, who would want
to take on the challenge of enforcing regulations, if only they were
appropriately supported. Staff retention in the civil service is one
of the great challenges. It is this side of the coin that needs to be
addressed by governments and donors.
It is, however, true to say the drug testing has been conducted
in many developing countries, without subject consent, and it is
possible that this may still be happening on a grand scale.
Interestingly, through our work in developing countries, I have come
across medical regulatory authorities who have in place the
regulations for conducting clinical trials of pharmaceutical products
(some are considering applying similar instruments to herbal or
traditional medicines). Further, these authorities have been known
to 'carpet' any one of their registered clinicians, who make
any report on cases for which the clinician did not receive both the
authority to conduct the research or trial and the patient's consent.
What we cannot accept in this and other related matters, is to have
one rule that applies to patients in developed countries, and
another, less rigorous, that applies to patients in developing countries.
Bonnie
Bonnie Fundafunda Ph.D, MBA, B.Pharm.
Marketing Manager
ECHO International Health Services Limited
Ullswater Crescent, Coulsdon, Surrey CR5 2HR, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8660 2220
Fax: +44 (0)20 8668 0751
Email: bfunda@echohealth.org.uk
www.echohealth.org.uk
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