Trafficking in illicit medicines is a growing scourge in West Africa, according to a recent report published by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This phenomenon, which includes both counterfeiting and the sale of medicines outside the official circuit, has disastrous consequences on public health in the region.
The report highlights the lack of local production of medicines, as well as weak regulations and corruption, which are all factors favoring the trafficking of fake medicines. According to estimates, between 20% and 60% of medical products available on the West African market are counterfeit. This figure even rises to 80% in Burkina Faso and Guinea.
The report particularly focuses on these two countries, which play a central role in drug trafficking circuits. Guinea is often the entry point for illegal medicines by sea or air, while Burkina Faso serves as a hub for the redistribution of products in the sub-region.
There are two types of drug trafficking circuits. The first is entirely illegal, with shipments coming from clandestine factories set up in countries such as Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, India and China. These counterfeit medicines are then sold by street dealers or in informal markets. The second circuit involves legal medicines which are diverted at different stages of the chain.
Several factors explain the rise in drug trafficking in West Africa. First, globalization and complex supply chains make it difficult to control product quality and detect counterfeits. Then, the Covid-19 crisis led to shortages of medicines, pushing populations to turn to illicit alternatives available on the black market.
The lack of appropriate legislation on drug trafficking is also a major problem. In many countries in the region, there are no specific laws criminalizing this activity, which encourages criminal networks to profit from it. In addition, the deterioration of security in certain countries such as Mali or Burkina Faso creates an environment conducive to the development of these networks.
It is therefore imperative that governments in the region take firm measures to combat this illicit drug trafficking. This involves strengthening regulations, implementing specific legislation and international cooperation to track down and dismantle the criminal networks involved. It is also essential to invest in the local production of medicines to reduce dependence on imports and guarantee access to quality products for the population..
In conclusion, the trafficking of illicit medicines in West Africa poses a serious public health problem. To protect the population and ensure access to safe and effective medicines, it is essential that the authorities act in a coordinated manner to put an end to this scourge.