Ugandan researchers dispute WHO stand on malaria deaths

For example, Ugandan researchers say patients are likely to stop taking medication when they begin to feel better, or to share their drugs with neighbours and friends who have not been properly diagnosed.

“There are problems with consumers due to self-medication and incomplete doses. As a result, drugs become ineffective,” said Fredrick Ssekyana, the spokesperson for the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA).  

NDA confirmed that drug counterfeits are in the market, a global problem they say they are working with Interpol to curb.  

“We have people who change expiry dates, drug labels and even make pills using cassava flour,” said Ssekyana.    

The three-country report also found bad drugs at both the public and the private health facilities, meaning governments — some buying medicines with donor funds — are not doing enough to keep poor-quality pills out.

All of the drugs tested from the Ugandan public sector, however, passed the tests.

“There are countries where donated medicines are not subjected to quality controls; they’re just accepted,” he said.

“There are countries in Africa where Chinese products have been donated and found to be unacceptable later in the public sector.”  

Donations come in during epidemics or seasonal disease outbreaks.