Increasingly more counterfeit drugs are being produced and sold in both rich and poor countries. Often times people buy these drugs over the internet. The counterfeit medications are usually hidden in cargo on their way to their destinations, so it is hard to track them.
People who take these fake drugs are at risk. For example, the drugs may contain too much of an active ingredient, too much or too little of what the person needs, or may contain toxic or poisonous ingredients, which could be fatal.
This problem is becoming more complex. In wealthier countries, counterfeiting usually involves expensive hormones and/or steroids, anti-cancer medicines, and pharmaceuticals. In poor countries like Africa, however, counterfeit drugs are mostly made to treat life-threatening diseases, such as malaria, TB, or HIV/AIDS. Any medication that compromises safety or quality is extremely dangerous. Last year because of fraudulent medications, 84 children in Nigeria died.
MY REACTIONS: Earlier this semester, I did a report about counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. Reading this article reminded me of the research I did for that report. I think that, in the long run, this trend of increasing counterfeit drugs will end up severely hurting people, because they are not getting what they need.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64I6G120100519
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