The case of the illicit sale of medicines at the Kara University Hospital (CHU) in Togo continues to make waves in the health sector. Denounced by an association defending patients’ rights and condemned by the National Union of Hospital Practitioners of Togo (Synphot), this affair reveals the flaws in the Togolese healthcare system and raises questions about the regulation of the sale of medicines.
The case came to light after a patient was admitted to Kara University Hospital following a snake bite. During his stay in the hospital, he was approached by the nursing staff who offered to buy medicines at an exorbitant price, outside the official channels of the hospital pharmacy. This clandestine practice of selling medicines highlights the existence of smuggling networks operating within the hospital itself.
Synphot, which represents hospital practitioners in Togo, denounces these practices contrary to medical ethics and demands that measures be taken to reform the Togolese hospital system. The Secretary General of Synphot emphasizes that this case is not isolated and that the shortage of medicines is a recurring problem in the country’s public hospitals. It calls on authorities to understand how illegal medicines come onto the market and to put in place stricter measures to prevent such practices.
This case highlights the flaws in the Togolese health system, but it is unfortunately not unique in the region. The illegal sale of medicines is a problem plaguing many African countries, creating health risks for patients and fueling the parallel market in counterfeit medicines. It is therefore essential that the authorities take vigorous measures to combat this scourge and ensure patient safety.
In conclusion, the affair of the illicit sale of medicines at the Kara University Hospital in Togo highlights the dysfunctions of the Togolese health system and the need for in-depth reform. It also highlights the importance of combating the illegal sale of medicines to ensure patient safety. It is now essential that authorities take concrete steps to remedy this situation and improve access to legitimate medicines for all.