The Trafficking of Fraudulent Drugs in South East Asian Countries
47% of anti-malaria medications in South East Asia are fraudulent. This shocking statistic shows there is need for drastic reform in the drug safety measures of the countries of this region. However, this is not just an issue of South East Asia. It is estimated by the FDA that up to 15% of all drugs distributed across the world are fraudulent. This means that up to 15% of the world’s medicine is ineffective, but is sold as if it is effective. This is not a matter of everyday cough drops that taste good, but don’t help your cough. This is a matter of creating fake drugs and selling them as real, generic medications. There are millions of people being sold fraudulent medications, for possibly deadly diseases, that do not work. Obviously, this issue needs to be seriously addressed. But how can it be addressed without attacking a country’s right to control its own policy?
This exact issue was being addressed in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. There were several ideas being debated in this setting. The delegation of China took a strong view opposing any external forces interfering with Chinese Factories, where other delegations insinuated that much of the supply of fraudulent medication was being produced. The delegation from China stated “Any external investigations would interfere with China’s Trade Protection Act”. However, the delegation was willing to approve the delegation of Ukraine’s Idea to have pharmacists inside China perform random checks of the quality of medications they sell. Yet, the Delegation of China stated “We would not shut down those factories (producing fraudulent medication) because they often also produce legitimate medication.” Other delegations believed that this stance would not cause any change.
Another point of view addressed was that of the delegation of Iran. The delegation of Iran, while working with China and Mexico, proposed the idea that sanctions are a main cause of the sale of fraudulent drugs. The delegation argued that because of sanctions’ harmful effects on the economy, the people of sanctioned countries cannot afford to buy certified drugs, and instead are only able to buy the cheaper, fraudulent drugs. The delegation of Iran proposed that sanctions be removed until the time at which the issue is primarily resolved. Other delegations argued that Iran is biased because it wants its own sanctions removed.
A final standpoint on this issue was given by the delegation of South Korea, which reasoned that the UN should sponsor an education program for impoverished countries on the harmful effects and how to detect fraudulent drugs. The delegation maintained that this would allow for the people of impoverished areas to protect themselves, and not have to rely on governments to shut down fraudulent companies. However, the delegation of China contended that any external education programs would not be approved by China, though they may be open to creating their own system to educate their people.
After thorough debate, there is not yet a clear answer. However, many working papers have been proposed, and it is clear that this issue can be addressed individually and cooperatively between countries, if they agree.
This exact issue was being addressed in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. There were several ideas being debated in this setting. The delegation of China took a strong view opposing any external forces interfering with Chinese Factories, where other delegations insinuated that much of the supply of fraudulent medication was being produced. The delegation from China stated “Any external investigations would interfere with China’s Trade Protection Act”. However, the delegation was willing to approve the delegation of Ukraine’s Idea to have pharmacists inside China perform random checks of the quality of medications they sell. Yet, the Delegation of China stated “We would not shut down those factories (producing fraudulent medication) because they often also produce legitimate medication.” Other delegations believed that this stance would not cause any change.
Another point of view addressed was that of the delegation of Iran. The delegation of Iran, while working with China and Mexico, proposed the idea that sanctions are a main cause of the sale of fraudulent drugs. The delegation argued that because of sanctions’ harmful effects on the economy, the people of sanctioned countries cannot afford to buy certified drugs, and instead are only able to buy the cheaper, fraudulent drugs. The delegation of Iran proposed that sanctions be removed until the time at which the issue is primarily resolved. Other delegations argued that Iran is biased because it wants its own sanctions removed.
A final standpoint on this issue was given by the delegation of South Korea, which reasoned that the UN should sponsor an education program for impoverished countries on the harmful effects and how to detect fraudulent drugs. The delegation maintained that this would allow for the people of impoverished areas to protect themselves, and not have to rely on governments to shut down fraudulent companies. However, the delegation of China contended that any external education programs would not be approved by China, though they may be open to creating their own system to educate their people.
After thorough debate, there is not yet a clear answer. However, many working papers have been proposed, and it is clear that this issue can be addressed individually and cooperatively between countries, if they agree.