Dr. Karamo Kaba, a pharmacist and specialist, has written an open letter to Guinea's Health Minister, Khaïté SALL, highlighting the resurgence of illicit medicine networks in the country. He warns that these networks pose a significant threat to public health, citing the risks of therapeutic failure, toxicity, and antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Kaba emphasizes the need for a coordinated national response to prevent the re-establishment of these networks.
According to Dr. Kaba, previous efforts to combat illicit medicine networks had shown promising results, particularly an operation that reduced the activity of a major supply hub in Madina. However, these networks have adapted and evolved, using new strategies such as intermediaries, informal sales points, and fake diplomas to distribute counterfeit medicines. Dr. Kaba notes that these practices must be strongly condemned and sanctioned.
The issue of illicit medicines affects not only formal markets but also informal vendors along roadsides, border areas, and certain parts of Conakry. Dr. Kaba stresses that the circulation of counterfeit or substandard medicines exposes the population to serious health risks. He urges Minister SALL to take immediate action to modernize and strengthen the Pharmacie Centrale de Guinée, the country's central pharmacy.
Dr. Kaba recommends that the Pharmacie Centrale de Guinée be equipped with advanced digital tools to improve its supply chain, storage, distribution, and tracking capabilities. He also suggests that the institution should prioritize economic performance, transparency, and efficiency while maintaining its public health mission. Furthermore, Dr. Kaba calls for the remobilization and professionalization of forces engaged in the fight against illicit medicines.
To effectively combat illicit medicine networks, Dr. Kaba proposes the development of a national operational plan based on intelligence and surveillance of supply chains. He also recommends strengthening targeted controls at borders, markets, and distribution points, as well as establishing mechanisms to quickly track and respond to suspicious activities. Additionally, Dr. Kaba emphasizes the need to ensure the effective implementation of regulations regarding pharmacy permits.
Dr. Kaba welcomes the recent decision to facilitate the signing of permits for pharmacists meeting regulatory conditions but notes that delays in processing applications can hinder the installation of qualified professionals. He advocates for a transparent and equitable system for processing applications, with clear criteria, reasonable deadlines, and a tracking mechanism. Dr. Kaba stresses that permit allocation must be based solely on regulatory criteria, without favoritism or bias.
Dr. Kaba concludes by emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and integrated strategy to combat illicit medicine networks, combining regulation, control, intelligence, and sanctions. He encourages Minister SALL to make the fight against counterfeit medicines a permanent public policy, evaluated and led at the highest level. By taking these steps, Guinea can reduce the influence of illicit networks and strengthen public trust in its pharmaceutical system.
Key points
- Dr. Karamo Kaba urges Guinea's Health Minister to take immediate action against resurfacing illicit medicine networks.
- The circulation of counterfeit medicines poses significant health risks to the Guinean population.
- Dr. Kaba recommends modernizing the Pharmacie Centrale de Guinée and strengthening the fight against illicit medicines through a comprehensive national strategy.
