Dear E-druggers,
Appropriately I have returned today from Nigeria to find the previous
contributions in the mail box on this subject and wholeheartedly agree with the
distinctions drawn.
I can confirm reports (again anecdotal but I could probably get hard evidence)
of the illegal supply of spurious meningitis vaccine during the outbreak in
Northern Nigeria (as opposed to Niger) earlier this year (Feb/march).
Just to add concerning actual work being done - there are some State-level task
forces in operation in Nigeria but my time there is project specific which does
not permit time for following up with such groups. In addition there is some
preliminary work being done at School of Pharmacy, Robert Gordon University in
Aberdeen as a part of work for a PhD degree - Martijn Ten Ham at WHO is aware of
this work and is working on various coordinating activities.
I recognise that from the industry perspective the "true counterfeit" (if that
is not a contradiction!) is extremely serious but I believe that the far bigger
and more serious problem from a clinical and economic perspective is the
"substandard" issue and there are many channels including many European
countries where drugs are "laundered" to use a financial term - in addition to
all of the unofficial preparation and supply channels that exist despite local
legislation and control.
What we gonna do about it?
Paul
Paul D Spivey
23 Colthill Road
Milltimber
Aberdeenshire AB13 0EF
Scotland ,UK
Telephone/fax; (44) 1224 734501