Hello. Welcome to the Velocity Made Good Podcast. I‘m your host, Ted Grasela.
Overview:
Falsified and substandard medicines pose a critical issue in Africa, jeopardizing patient safety and eroding trust in healthcare systems. Today, I am pleased to introduce you to three experts on the challenges of falsified and substandard medicines in Uganda.
In part one of this program, we focus on the scope of the problem and the need for drug quality testing to protect the supply chain.
Ms. Priscilla Kasembo is the lead research pharmacist for Global Health Uganda.
Dr Jackson Mukonzo, Chair of the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at Makerere University and Managing Director of the Bioequivalence & Medicines Analysis Center for Uganda.
In Part 2, we speak with Dr. Benjamin Mwesige, a pharmacist and the head of research at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala.
Keywords:
counterfeit medicines, Uganda, healthcare, patient safety, drug regulation, supply chain, bioequivalence, public health, pharmaceutical quality, healthcare trust
Summary:
This podcast episode discusses the critical issue of counterfeit medicines in Uganda, highlighting the scale of the problem, the vulnerabilities in the supply chain, and the impact on patient care. Experts Priscilla Kisembo and Dr. Jackson Mukonzo share insights on establishing a bioequivalence testing center to improve the quality of medicine and the collaboration required with regulatory agencies. The conversation also addresses the financial burden of counterfeit drugs and the common types of counterfeit medicines in the region, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to protect the quality of drugs.
Takeaways:
Counterfeit medicines pose a significant risk to patient safety in Uganda.
Approximately 50% of medicines in Uganda are reported to be falsified or substandard.
The pharmaceutical supply chain has numerous vulnerabilities.
Counterfeit drugs are prevalent in private pharmacies.
Counterfeit medicines can lead to drug resistance and adverse reactions.
Establishing a bioequivalence testing center is crucial for quality assurance.
Collaboration with regulatory agencies is essential for effective drug regulation.
The financial burden of counterfeit medicines is substantial, costing millions annually.
Common counterfeit drugs include anti-malarials and contraceptives.
Improving the quality of medicines is a critical public health issue.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Counterfeit Medicines in Uganda
00:58 The Scale of the Problem
02:48 Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
05:05 Impact on Patient Care
07:11 Establishing a Testing Center
10:27 Collaboration with Regulatory Agencies
14:08 Financial Burden of Counterfeit Medicines
17:36 Common Counterfeit Drugs
20:19 Strategies for Protecting Medicine Quality
22:38 Final Thoughts and Future Directions
Related Links:
Bioequivalence & Medicines Analysis Center for Uganda
Acknowledgements:
We gratefully acknowledge Joe Brancato's generosity in allowing us to use his original composition of Extraordinary People as music for the podcast.
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