THE POSITION OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN THE PREVENTION AND CIRCULATION OF FAKE DRUGS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Drugs are essential at all levels of healthcare. they are important for maintaining health, diagnosing, preventing, treating, or mitigating diseases/disorders. however, because of the tremendous advantages received from pharmaceuticals and their widespread use, some unscrupulous individuals perceive them as a method of generating quick money, and hence engage in the production and distribution of fake/counterfeit medication (Erhun, 1992). Despite the worldwide character of fake/counterfeit medications, the International Community lacks a standardized definition to represent its global nature and capture its whole essence. (Erhun,  1996) observed that this is due to the fact that various countries perceive it from different angles. Counterfeit medicine is a major issue in the Nigeria, and even more so globally. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a waste of patients' money and can risk the public's health and safety. One instance in point is that of a patient who was treated for anemia with injections following a liver transplant. The patient was still not responding to therapy after 8 weeks of injections. The treating physicians realized that the patient's medication was a forgery. The penalties of counterfeiting can be severe in such circumstances.

A particularly catastrophic instance included counterfeit versions of the cancer-fighting drug bevacizumab (Avastin). In February 2012, Avastin's maker, Roche, alerted physicians of a counterfeit version of bevacizumab that contained salt and starch but not the active ingredient of the medicine. The 2008 counterfeit case of the blood thinner heparin is another illustration of the hazards of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in the United States. In this case, the active component was swapped with a cheaper material, which produced unpleasant responses in patients and resulted in a countrywide heparin recall. The government formed NAFDAC in order to protect the people by eradicating bogus medications and poor regulated items from society.

(Erhun, .1992) Medical personnel typically interact with patients when they are at their most vulnerable, such as when they are suffering from an illness or disease. As a result, they hold enormous power over patients' treatment. As a result, it should go without saying that if medical personnel commit to play a proactive part in eradicating counterfeit pharmaceuticals from their practice, a significant achievement will be recorded. Simple self-regulation techniques that encourage rational usage, preserve ethical behavior, enhance a medical professional practice, and work for the ultimate advantage of the patient are all that is required.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Several goods have been forged by unscrupulous merchants. Almost all of the medications controlled by NAFDAC are involved. Food, pharmaceuticals, and medication for human consumption, veterinary products, cosmetic products, cosmetic items, chemicals, detergents, mechanical devices, and all forms of drives, including water, are examples. Aside from the aforementioned items, many sorts of replacement components are also extensively counterfeited (Erhun  and Adeola, 1995). As a result, any discussion of tactics for the elimination of phony products with varied degrees of regulation and control is problematic and with the involvement of medical personnel. As the country works to provide appropriate health care for its citizens, the government’s initiatives, as well as those of stakeholders, particularly medical practitioners, aimed at eradicating counterfeit medications, are critical for long-term success

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to analyse the position of medical personnel in the prevention and circulation of fake drugs. Other objectives of this study are:

i.          To find out the factors causing the circulation of fake drugs.

ii.        To find out the impact of fake drugs circulation

iii.      To examine the ways medical personnel can prevent the circulation of fake drugs

iv.      To find out how effective the medical personnel’s intervention is

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will guide this study.

What are the factors causing the circulation of fake drugs?

What are the impact of fake drugs circulation?

What are the ways medical personnel can prevent the circulation of fake drugs?

How effective is the medical personnel’s intervention in the prevention and circulation of fake drugs

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be of great benefit to the medical field as the findings of this study will show how important medical personnel are to the prevention and circulation of fake drugs. This study will also be of great benefit to the society as the effect of fake drugs on the society will be shown. Finally, this study will serve as an existing material for future reference and further research.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will focus on the position of medical personnel in the prevention and circulation of fake drugs. It will also focus on the causes of fake drugs circulation and how effective the medical personnel interventions are. This study will be using staff of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital as a case study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THESTUDY

This study will be limited to the position of medical personnel in the prevention and circulation of fake drugs. It will also be limited to the causes of fake drugs circulation and how effective the medical personnel interventions are. This study will be using staff of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital as a case study and as such further studies should be carried out before the results are used any where else.

1.8 DEFINITIONS OF THE STUDY

Medical personnel: A medic is a person involved in medicine such as a medical doctor, medical student, paramedic or an emergency medical responder

Prevention: the action of stopping something from happening

Fake drugs: drugs deliberately mislabel with the intention of deceiving a customer