The United Nations has raised the alarm over the growing trade in counterfeit and substandard medicines across Central Africa, warning that the illicit business is putting millions of lives at risk and undermining public confidence in health systems.
The UN said criminal networks are exploiting weak border controls, inadequate regulation and poor monitoring systems to circulate fake medicines, including antibiotics, antimalarial drugs and drugs used to treat chronic diseases.
It warned that patients who unknowingly take counterfeit or substandard medicines could suffer serious health complications or die, while legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturers lose revenue and governments are deprived of tax earnings.
The development also has implications for Nigeria, which has battled the circulation of counterfeit medicines for decades and continues to face challenges associated with porous borders and illegal drug networks.
Health experts are calling for stronger regional cooperation, improved laboratory testing and tougher sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in the illicit trade.
The UN also urged governments to intensify public awareness campaigns to help citizens distinguish genuine medicines from fake products and encourage them to report suspicious drugs.
Experts warned that without urgent and coordinated action, counterfeit medicines could continue to claim lives, particularly among vulnerable communities that often turn to cheaper treatment options.
