The rising influx of substandard and falsified medicines across Africa is being driven by weak regulation and unchecked trade flows, former President of the Ghana Pharmaceutical Society, Benjamin Kwame Botwe, has cautioned.

Speaking at the 4th White Coat Ceremony for the Pharmacy class at Central University yesterday, Botwe warned that fake medicines pose a growing threat to public health, citing alarming evidence from global health authorities.

In 2017, the WHO reported that one in ten medicines in low- and middle-income countries were substandard or falsified, putting patients and healthcare systems at serious risk.

He noted that poor market regulatory actions, free trade, inadequate registration systems, and high demand for medicines are contributing to the widespread circulation of falsified products.

Botwe called for urgent, coordinated action, stressing that responsibility lies not only with the government but also with healthcare professionals. “The responsibility to counter all these rests with government and healthcare practitioners, particularly pharmacists, to help regulate medicines,” he emphasised.

The ceremony also featured remarks from Central University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kwasi Dartey Baah, who urged the graduating students to uphold the institution’s values of integrity, faith and excellence as they enter professional practice.

Some students shared their reflections on reaching the milestone.
One described the pharmacy profession as both a calling and an honour, while the overall best graduating student said the recognition was a profound moment in his academic journey.

Botwe’s warning comes amid increasing concern across Africa about the impact of counterfeit drugs, which undermine treatment outcomes, erode public trust in healthcare, and expose patients to severe health risks.