| Pfizer conference focuses on counterfeit medicines in Africa | Posted on 14/02/2008 in Pharmaceutical Company Restructures An international conference sponsored by Pfizer is currently underway with representatives from sub-Saharan countries discussing the threats of counterfeit medicines.
Taking place in Johannesburg, customs officials, medical regulators and representatives from ten African nations have joined in debate with World Health Organisation (WHO) representatives and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute to look at ways of keeping the medicine supply in Africa safe.
WHO representative Dr Moses Chisale highlighted that counterfeit medicines posed a growing problem and that combating the trade was a "shared responsibility" between all organisations from government agencies to health professionals.
Karl Lintel, Pfizer's Regional Director for Africa, stated the company's belief that patients should receive safe and effective medicine and not potentially dangerous counterfeit.
"We are committed as a company to do all we can to keep fake medicines out of the marketplace so that they are not a threat to patient health. This conference is a demonstration of our commitment," he confirmed.
Despite difficulties in accurately measuring the scope of the counterfeiting trade, Pfizer has illustrated that since 2004, authorities have seized more than 30 million counterfeit Pfizer tablets.
Last month, Pfizer announced that its Global Health Fellow scheme would move into its eighth round with 28 colleagues partnering with non-governmental and multi-lateral organisations in developing countries to contribute to health care infrastructure programmes.Other news stories from 14/02/2008
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