By Solange Tegwi
The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, has warned Cameroonians against buying and consuming counterfeit medicines, stating they are responsible for close to one million deaths globally each year.
The Minister revealed this at a press briefing held by the Inspectorate of Pharmaceutical Services and Laboratories, as Cameroon observed the African Day for the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs (November 12). Last year’s theme was, “Counterfeit Medicines: a Silent Danger, a Real Threat.”
“Counterfeit medicine kills. There is no such thing as mobile pharmacies,” the Minister stated. “Behind the seemingly attractive packaging and prices hide falsified products, ineffective, and at times deadly.” He described the circulation of fake drugs as an invisible yet pervasive threat, present in markets, neighborhoods, streets, homes, on online platforms, and sometimes infiltrating formal supply chains. “Every tablet bought is death bought,” he warned.
Questioned on why the trade continues to proliferate, the Minister explained that government efforts are often undermined by public demand. “The primary people who could help fight this scourge are the patients, but rather they encourage it by continuously buying from street vendors despite awareness campaigns. If there are no buyers, counterfeit drug dealers will stop selling,” he said.
Asked about government action against online pharmacies in a digital age, Dr. Manaouda detailed collaborations with the Ministry of Communication (MINCOM) and the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC).
“Through these organs, some online platforms distributing substandard medicines have been tracked and shut down,” he said, also citing his personal use of social media, particularly Twitter, for public sensitization.
On how to distinguish genuine from fake drugs, the Minister was unequivocal: “There are no true drugs on the roadside, no matter how appealing the packaging.” He advised the public to obtain medication only from licensed pharmacies or healthcare providers. “Medicines are an essential pillar of our health system… and should not be treated lightly,” he stressed.
To combat the threat on a larger scale, Dr Manaouda noted international alerts from global health bodies and cooperative mechanisms between African states. However, he concluded that success ultimately depends on public cooperation. “Irrespective of government efforts… if the patient does not collaborate by avoiding these falsified drugs, our work may not yield big results.”
He called for public adherence to government warnings, highlighting that counterfeit medicines pose a severe threat to public health, national economies, and healthcare integrity, leading to organ damage and death. “Health is a fundamental human right,” he reminded attendees.