| From: |
Gabriel ADEYEMO [ profile ] |
| Subject: |
Kenya: Government grapples with counterfeit ARVs
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| Sent: |
Oct 24th, 2011 - 07:34:42 |
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Source:* IRIN/PlusNews*
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=94012
Fellow GYCAers,
Kenya's government is scrambling to remove thousands of batches of
counterfeit antiretrovirals (ARVs) from circulation after patients and
health workers reported irregularities in the appearance and texture of a
widely used drug. In September, nurses working with the medical NGO,
Medecins Sans Frontieres - which runs HIV and tuberculosis clinics in the
capital, Nairobi, and western Kenya - reported irregularities in the
appearance of the antiretroviral Zidolam-N, a combination treatment
containing the ARVs zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine.
The ARVs were found to be falsified versions of a World Health Organization
(WHO)-certified generic drug purchased through a distributor endorsed by the
Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board (KPPB), the country's drug regulatory
authority... The KPPB estimates that 16,340 batches of the counterfeit drug
have been released, 15,000 of which have now been returned. "We are tracking
down some of the patients who may have received them but ha ven't returned
them," Wasike said. "The samples of the drugs which were recalled have
already been sent to laboratories... Once the results are known, we will be
able to know any side-effects they might have on the patients and what
remedies to take to minimize these side-effects, if any."
WHO describes a counterfeit drug as one that is deliberately and
fraudulently mis-labelled with respect to identity and/or source.
Counterfeiting can apply to both branded and generic products.
Representatives of people living with HIV in Kenya have castigated the KPPD
for allowing the counterfeit drugs to filter into the supply chain and
jeopardizing their treatment. "It is very scary, especially with a disease
whose treatment calls for strict adherence to a regimen," said Nelson
Otuoma, coordinator of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in
Kenya (NEPHAK)...
Senior officials say the government is investigating how the drugs found
their way into the country, and is looking into strengthening surveillance
systems... Otuoma accused the government's drug procurement system of being
riddled with corruption, and said unless this issue was addressed, the risk
of fake drugs penetrating the market would remain. Health experts say it is
crucial for the government to urg ently address the situation in order to
allay patients' fears and retain the confidence of HIV-positive people in
the government's ability to provide them with effective care...
Click the link above for more information of this story
--
Many Thanks
Yours' in Prevention Science
Gabriel, ADEYEMO
Regional Focal Point - West Africa
Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AID (GYCA)
+234-80-6798-7317 | gabriel (at) gyca.org
www.gyca.org | www.tigweb.org
GYCA is a youth-led global network of over 6,000 young leaders and adult
allies working on youth and HIV/AIDS in 173 countries world-wide. GYCA's
mission is to empower young leaders with the skills, knowledge, resources
and opportunities they need to scale up HIV/AIDS interventions amongst their
peers.
Universal Access is possible; *
*Zero new HIV infections. **Zero discrimination and ***Zero AIDS-related
deaths.***
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