A crackdown undertaken by authorities from Kenya and Uganda has exposed the direct threats posed by illicit medical products, showing the risk to public health across the region.
In a press statement dated July 12, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) of Kenya and Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA) have partnered with international stakeholders, including agencies from the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union, to combat the infiltration of dangerous medicines.
In a joint operation known as Operation African Star, enforcement teams scrutinized shipments of health products over four days, targeting violative shipments encountered via postal and air cargo.
Operation African Star’s inspections revealed numerous violations, including drugs stored and shipped outside approved conditions, prescription drugs lacking valid prescriptions, and dietary supplements with undeclared active ingredients.
Findings from PPB Crackdown
Chief Executive Officer of the PPB, Dr. Fred Siyoi, emphasized the global public health risk posed by unregulated health products.
“The threat posed by illicit trade in health products and technologies impacts global public health and consumers. This risk increases when health products and technologies are obtained outside of the regulated supply chain,” he said. Dr. Siyoi.
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NDA Chairman Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo noted the value of multilateral initiatives like Operation African Star in developing best practices and combating public health threats.
“As evidenced by the wide array of support generated for this initiative, there is a growing recognition that to effectively combat these types of dangerous products requires crosscutting partnerships,” he said.
Collaboration
The initiative also included reciprocal training sessions aimed at enhancing the detection and disruption of illicit trade in health products.
The multi-agency effort saw collaboration between numerous domestic and international bodies.
In Kenya, participants included the Kenya Revenue Authority, Immigration Services, Anti-Narcotics, National Intelligence Services, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Airports Authority, Post Master General, Communication Authority of Kenya, and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority.
Uganda leveraged its whole-of-government approach, drawing support from the Uganda Revenue Authority, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, and specialized units of the Uganda Police Force, including INTERPOL and Anti-Narcotics.
International agencies involved included the European Anti-Fraud Office, United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, United States Agency for International Development, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and others.
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Risk of Purchasing Unsafe Products
Consumers purchasing prescription medicines from unauthorized sources risk using falsified, substandard, expired, or otherwise unsafe products.
These risks are exacerbated for individuals treating serious or life-threatening conditions.
Illicit products are often transshipped via third-party countries, making it difficult to ensure they are safe and effective.
The global supply chain’s complexity has made it easier for illicit products to infiltrate markets while making it harder to hold bad actors accountable.
Operation African Star’s further included the initiation of criminal investigations, seizures of violative products, and the exchange of actionable intelligence.
U.S. FDA Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations, Justin Green, acknowledged the challenge, stating, “The FDA greatly appreciates the opportunity to work with Kenyan, Ugandan, and other key international partners to bring focus to a global public health threat and values the implementation of a pioneering initiative to combat it.”
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