Fake medicines have threatened citizens across the board–and borders–in wartime as well as peacetime. “Fake Penicillin, The Third Man and Operation Claptrap,” an article published in BMJ's online Christmas edition, looks at the history of falsified drugs and highlights what needs to be done to avert a global problem. Last year, for example, falsified ampicillin was discovered circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in bottles of 1,000 capsules and containing no detectable ampicillin." In the 21st century, government action remains key to fight both falsified and substandard medicines, advises the BMJ article.
Poll Question:
Fake medicines have become a problem on a global scale. Last year, for example, falsified ampicillin was discovered circulating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in bottles of 1,000 capsules and containing no detectable ampicillin.
Do you think greater investment in and support for national medicine regulatory authorities in many countries is needed now?
Yes
151
No
12
Not sure
13
