E-drug: Information on essential drugs and generic prescribing
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Dear Dr Chinyanganya,
The point you make about the law authorising pharmacists in
Zimbabwe to substitute a brand product with a generic product makes
a strong case for sourcing quality generic pharmaceutical products,
and for having a powerful regulatory and monitoring institution.
Imagine the case where one can obtain generic products from any
Tom, Dick and Harry wholesalers, out there to make a quick buck.
Imagine also that these chaps got these products from some
manufacturer who has a license to manufacture, but has no concern
for the safety, efficacy and quality of the product they are making,
and fails to provide the necessary backup per product (GMP,
independent inspections, warranties, and other ethical procedures).
Again, imagine the case where the authorised buyers place cost of
product above the safety, efficacy, quality and liability provided for
the product. Are these unreasonable suppositions? Our experience,
and that of many concerned regulatory authorities struggling to
implement good practice in medical supply suggest that this in fact is
the reality. There are still many procurement offices that place cost
above safety ('if no one complains, then everything is fine'), and still
many regulatory authorities with little power to control pharmaceutical
supply in their 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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