Policy Dialogue Tackles Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting in Africa

On October 23, INTA partnered with South Africa’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and member firms Adams & Adams and Eversheds Sutherland to host a policy dialogue titled Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting in Africa. The event, which was held both online and in person at the headquarters of Adams & Adams in Pretoria, South Africa, brought together key stakeholders, including government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, health care providers, and law enforcement officials to explore the challenges associated with counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical industry and effective strategies for prevention and enforcement.

The discussion covered several topics, including the latest data and trends related to pharmaceutical counterfeiting in Africa, the role of law enforcement, effective collaboration strategies, and emerging technologies for traceability and authentication in the pharmaceutical sector. The event provided an opportunity for an open dialogue among pharmaceutical companies, regulatory authorities, and law enforcement to answer pertinent questions regarding the sale of counterfeit medicines through online pharmacies, and how such pharmacies should be regulated.

Participants highlighted the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to enhance the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain; the need for more collaboration in the value chain, particularly between law enforcement and the National Prosecution Authority; the need for engagement with the judiciary; the need for more consumer awareness initiatives; and the need for new and updated legislation and regulations by policy makers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that legislative reform is needed to properly regulate online pharmacies, with emphasis on the importance of effective collaboration and continuous engagement with the entire value chain in the pharmaceutical sector.

INTA Consultant Hazel Okoth supports the Association’s members across Africa in collaboration with the staff at INTA’s headquarters in New York, New York, USA, and Representative Offices around the world. Ms. Okoth works on the Association’s policy, membership, marketing, and communications initiatives in Africa. Please contact Ms. Okoth to learn more about INTA’s activities in Africa.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of this article, readers are urged to check independently on matters of specific concern or interest.

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