The Chief Medical Director of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, Prof. Michael Gbala, has raised concerns over the growing threat of counterfeit medicines.

Speaking during a familiarisation visit by the Senior Consultant on Pharmaceutical and Medical Investments to the Ondo State Government, Dr. Samuel Oluwaoromipin Adekota, to the teaching hospital, on Wednesday, Gbala warned that fake drugs can claim more lives than armed criminals.

He said urgent measures need to be taken to safeguard the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Speaking after the meeting, the UNIMEDTH boss stressed the dangers posed by substandard and counterfeit medicines, describing them as a silent but deadly threat to public health.

“Fake drugs kill faster than bandits,” he said, emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring and quality assurance in the procurement and distribution of medicines.

The CMD recalled a personal experience that underscored his concerns, revealing that he once questioned the authenticity of a drug purchased for his daughter despite paying a significant amount for it.

According to him, healthcare institutions must pay closer attention to the source and quality of medicines supplied to patients, noting that obtaining drugs from a recognised supplier does not automatically guarantee their authenticity.

“The fact that it’s from Drug Management Agency (DMA) does not guarantee that it’s a genuine drug,” Gbala said.

He called for stronger collaboration between UNIMEDTH and the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency (OSDHCMA) to ensure that only safe and quality medicines reach patients.

Gbala noted that the issue was particularly critical given the large number of patients relying on the hospital for treatment and healthcare services.

He also advocated the identification and adequate stocking of scarce and life-saving medicines, especially those needed during emergencies, stressing that healthcare facilities should have alternative reliable sources whenever existing suppliers fail to meet demand.

While acknowledging improvements in the performance of the Drug Management Agency, he said more work was needed to strengthen the medicine supply chain.

“They seem to be improving a little bit. The way they are able to serve us now is better than what they did previously,” he said.

The CMD urged stakeholders to improve drug procurement, distribution and monitoring systems to prevent patients from being exposed to fake or substandard medicines.

He further called for proper documentation of drug orders and cases where suppliers fail to meet requests, noting that such measures would enhance accountability and transparency within the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Gbala expressed support for the Ondo State Government’s efforts to improve medicines management and assured that UNIMEDTH was ready to partner with relevant agencies and stakeholders to strengthen access to safe, effective and quality medicines across the state. (Daily Trust)