African countries with small to medium-sized economies pay far more money for less effective drugs, a leading health expert has told BBC Newsday.
In countries such as Zambia, Senegal and Tunisia, everyday drugs like paracetamol can cost up to 30 times more than in the UK and USA.
Drug markets in poorer countries "just don't work", said Kalipso Chalkidou from the Centre for Global Development.
She said "competition is broken" due to a "concentrated supply chain".
Ms Chalkidou, director of global health policy at the organisation, co-authored a report on drug procurement that concluded that small to middling economy countries buy a smaller range of medicines, leading to weaker competition, regulation and quality.
It says richer countries, thanks to public money and strong processes for buying drugs, are able to procure cheaper medicines.
Poorer countries, however, tend to buy the most expensive medicines, rather than cheaper unbranded pharmaceuticals which make up 85% of the market in the UK and US.
The very poorest countries are not affected when foreign donors purchase medicine on their behalf, meaning their over-the-counter medicines remain at low cost.
"In the middle it's very problematic," Ms Chalkidou said.
Low- to middle-income countries "have little ability to negotiate prices down and quality assure products" and there are lots of mark-ups, often due to taxes and corruption.
She said less stringent regulation meant the quality of the drugs was also not as high.
"Without regulation, people perceive the products don't work, so pay extra money for things they think will work and won't work either," Ms Chalkidou explained.
The report recommends greater global co-operation and reforming World Health Organisation policy as well as policy in targeted countries to improve procurement practices.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Obuasi Area of the Church of Pentecost holds empowerment seminar for BECE candidates
2 hours -
Fisheries Commission to analyse data on effect of closed season artisanal exemption
2 hours -
Crime prevention must be the bedrock of modern policing – Chief of Staff
2 hours -
From Alexander to Mahama: When the pot spoke truth to power
2 hours -
Remove all references to private associations from Constitution – JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante tells Constitutional Review Committee
2 hours -
NMCs role must be expanded to include frequency and spectrum authorisation for media houses – JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante
2 hours -
JoyNews’ Kwaku Asante criticises use of ‘false news’ laws to intimidate journalists at Constitutional Review Committee
3 hours -
Accra Mayor engages street hawkers ahead of Tuesday’s major decongestion exercise
3 hours -
Paolini ends 40-year wait for home winner of Italian Open
3 hours -
FA Cup: Crystal Palace stun Man City to win first major trophy
4 hours -
OWASS 2000 alumni invest GH₵1m in project to fix landscaping and drainage problems
4 hours -
Crystal Palace stun Man City as Eze strikes to win FA Cup
4 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Accra Lions boost survival hopes with emphatic win over Aduana
4 hours -
Dynamics of legislature oversight over the Armed Forces in liberal democracies
5 hours -
Africa must lead the next wave of digital innovation – MTN CEO
5 hours