Get the latest tech news

Nearly 20% of cancer drugs defective in four African nations


Across Africa, cancer medications have been found to be substandard or counterfeit. That means people are being given medicine that may not work, or that could even cause them harm.

"I was not surprised by these results," said Lutz Heide, a pharmacist at the University of Tübingen in Germany who has previously worked for the Somali Health Ministry and has spent the past decade researching substandard and falsified medicines. Usually, a medical professional or patient is only able to perform a visual inspection — literally checking a label for discrepancies or pills and syringes for color differences — to spot falsified products. The WHO has long called for greater local regulations to take fake medicines out of circulationImage: Denis Balibouse/REUTERSIn those places, poor access to affordable medication often drives patients to less-regulated marketplaces.

Get the Android app

Or read this on Hacker News

Read more on:

Photo of African

African

Photo of cancer drugs

cancer drugs

Photo of African nations

African nations

Related news:

News photo

5 African countries that may join Russia and China in building a nuclear reactor on the moon

News photo

AFRINIC election annulled after ICANN writes angry letter to African regional internet registry

News photo

After raising $38M, African e-commerce startup Sabi lays off 20%, pivots to traceable exports