Audio By Carbonatix
The prices of hydroxychloroquine skyrockets in sub-Sahara African countries amid Covid-19.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, there have been claims that hydroxychloroquine can help in preventing and treating the deadly virus, and since it’s been a valuable object that is trafficked.
Chloroquine is well known in Africa and was one of the most widely prescribed anti-malaria drugs until the 1980s.
But it is no longer authorised on the continent by the WHO.
However, attempts are made to produce the drug locally, highlighting the flaws of the drug market in West Africa.
In Nigeria, chloroquine in a 250 mg dosage can be sold, and prices have soared in the last four months.
A packet of 60 tablets has gone from $8 to $194 in pharmacies.
Despite the legal battle on illicit drugs in the sub-region, the traffic is on the increase.
In Cameroon, a network of counterfeit chloroquine manufacturers were arrested in Bafoussam in March 2020.
Several were recently seized in Niger, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire.
Latest Stories
-
Gauff’s flaw forgotten on winning US Open return
1 hour -
Birds stop play but Medvedev flies into third round
1 hour -
LA Clippers fined $30m by NBA over Leonard scandal
1 hour -
Uber to cut over 3,000 jobs in major global restructuring
2 hours -
Tiger Woods gets five-year driving ban after reckless driving plea
2 hours -
South African airline behind daring stadium stunt cancels next flyby
2 hours -
PURC urges ECG to address outages, metering delays
2 hours -
Police engage traders over alleged harassment, extortion on Aflao-Accra highway
2 hours -
Uber shuts operations in Nigeria and Uganda with immediate effect
2 hours -
Netherlands moves billions in gold to London in ‘crisis preparedness’ move
3 hours -
Legal vacation does not halt urgent court cases – Chief Justice
3 hours -
Keta residents react with mixed feelings to fresh fuel price hike
3 hours -
Managing Director on GH¢150,000 bail over five dud cheques
3 hours -
BOSTenergies reports strong 2025 performance, pays first-ever dividend to government
3 hours -
Carlos Queiroz reappointed as Black Stars head coach
4 hours