Lagos — An international conference to discuss counterfeit medicines in Africa, started this week in Johannesburg.

The aim of the conference, which is sponsored by Pfizer, is for representatives from sub-Saharan countries to discuss threats that counterfeit medicines and unregistered generics pose for the safety of patients in this region and to develop joint plans of action to address the issue.

Twenty customs officials, medicine regulators and government representatives from 10 sub-saharan countries, including Nigeria, as well as representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI), will meet over the course of three days.

The programme includes workshops during which participants will share experiences and develop comprehensive action plans to help keep medicine supplies in Africa secure and safe.The threat that counterfeit medicines pose to society is very real, said WHO Representative, Dr Moses Chisale.

"Counterfeit medicines are present in all regions, but those areas where regulatory and legal oversight are weakest bear the brunt of the problem. Even though we may not know the exact magnitude of the problem in different parts of the world, the problem is there and it is growing. Combating counterfeiting is a shared responsibility involving relevant government agencies, manufacturers, distributors, health professionals, consumers and the general public.

Governments have to create the appropriate environment for the participation of all concerned partners," Chisale said.