Douala: CEMAC health ministers hold seminar to battle the trade in illicit drugs in the region

The fight against illicit drugs was the theme of a conference of health ministers of the six countries of the CEMAC region  held in Douala on June 21-23 , 2016.France, which provides technical assistance to the program of harmonization of pharmaceutical policies OCEAC, was invited to the opening of the ministerial session of the conference. Through the voice of its ambassador to Cameroon, Christine  Robichon.

The trade in illicit drugs in Cameroon operates like a very powerful mafia-like network, which is very difficult to dismantle. It is estimated that investment in illicit sales of medicines is five times more lucrative than through the regular system. Local officials dread dismantling the network because it has also infiltrated the judicial and customs system.Corrupt regulatory and legal systems are easily exploited by criminal smugglers and additional rules have only increased corruption.” 

Ampoam says that most of the counterfeit drugs are made in the Middle East and East and South Asia, yet many carry the inscription ‘Made in Germany’. They are smuggled into Cameroon by sea and through the porous borders this country shares with Nigeria and the Central African Republic.

“Although it is difficult to give an exact statistic on the percentage of illicit drugs found in local markets today, the availability of drugs in local markets, makeshift shops, on the streets and along the highways tells of the deplorable situation in Cameroon.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that worldwide 200,000 deaths per annum could be prevented if people did not use counterfeit drugs. According to the International Policy Network report, fake tuberculosis and malaria drugs alone are estimated to kill 700,000 people globally each year.

Most of the drugs in circulation have been banned in certain countries because they are toxic or counterfeit. Some have the correct ingredients but in low quantities. Some of the drugs are samples or medicines donated by NGOs,” Ampoam explains.

Self-medication [with illegal and counterfeit drugs] is a big public health problem in Cameroon that affects almost every family. This stems from the easy access to drugs of doubtful origin and quality all over the national territory