Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeit Medicine/Fake Drugs On Ghana Under SDG 3

Abstract

The existence of counterfeit medicines in our world is a known fact to anyone with keen interest. Sadly, the exponential increase in fake drugs’ trade is highly rampant in developing countries. In the sub-Saharan, there is a high possibility of finding ten original medicines out of ten. Unfortunately, the drugs that suffer much from this menace are malaria and over the counter pain relievers as these are normally the first point of call in an attempt to manage or relieve pains. Many attribute high levels of poverty, porous borders, weak local and international institutions, inadequate regulatory laws and measures, and illiteracy, among others, to the widespread of counterfeit drugs. This study argued that the overwhelming presence of fake drugs in Ghana is real, and it bears adverse health effects and retards Ghana’s socio-economic development. These effects plunge Ghanaians into severe poverty, aside from the many lives lost to fake drugs. To adequately assess the problem and proffer a solution, the study deployed the health security theory. This theory enables the research to evaluate the effectiveness of the nation’s measures vis-à-vis the proliferation of counterfeit medicines and health threats and the other resulting consequences. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research design to enable its use of primary and secondary data using random sampling. To enrich its primary data, it used questionnaires and structured interviews. It randomly selected about fifty respondents in Accra and Tema metropolis and interviewed the representatives of two regulatory agencies and two manufacturing industries. The study also used the Frequency tables, graphs and charts to analyse the data. The study found that the nation had chalked some success in the measures to decrease fake medicines on the market, such as international-local institutional partnerships, FDA’s post-market surveillance, improved FDA’s Medical Regulatory System, and modern technologies. The study also noted some challenges including inadequate officers for post-market surveillance, and low compliance with the FDA’s guidance on GDP.