Gov’t seizes over 369 million FCFA-worth fake medicines in six months.

This was during the commemoration of the African Day for the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs. It held was under the theme: “Counterfeit medicines: A silent danger, a real threat”.

Dr Manaouda stated that between January and June 2025 alone, seizures of illegal drugs amounted to 369.8 million FCFA, while the cumulative value of confiscated products since 2020 stands at 8.69 billion FCFA.

He said inspection missions slammed sanctions on non-compliant establishments, including closures in cases of serious violations.

The minister revealed that 55 illegal websites selling medicines online have been shut down in collaboration with INTERPOL and ANTIC; 69 court cases filed, resulting in 36 convictions while others are still under judicial process.

Dr Manaouda said Regional and Divisional committees are now active across the country to ensure decentralised vigilance; national traceability system for pharmaceutical products has been established and is operational.

The member of government called for a national mobilisation to protect lives and health as the country intensifies its fight against counterfeit medicines. 

Dr Manaouda said the theme is both a clear reminder and a call to action that counterfeit medicines are detrimental to the health systems and weaken confidence in medical institutions.

“Counterfeit medicines kill. They do not cure. They dash hopes, destroy health and undermine our healthcare systems,” the minister stressed, adding that counterfeit drugs have become a serious obstacle to achieving quality healthcare in Cameroon and across the continent. 

He regretted that the trade has over the years spread throughout communities, infiltrating markets, streets, households, and even online platforms.

He said aside the cheap prices and deceptive packaging, the drugs are ineffective, and sometimes deadly. Every tablet purchased outside authorized pharmacies, he warned, could be a silent weapon against public health.

Estimates from the World Health Organisation, WHO, which the minister cited, indicates counterfeit medicines cause over 267,000 deaths annually in Africa due to fake antimalarial drugs.

It also reveals over 100,000 deaths are linked to counterfeit antibiotics while hundreds of thousands more are lost to other substandard medical products.

“These figures show the magnitude of the crisis. Counterfeit medicines are not only a public health threat, they are a moral and economic crime against our people,” Dr Manaouda said. 

Outlines gov’t’s action and achievements

Dr Manaouda reiterated that government remains firmly committed to strengthening the national health system through the Universal Health Coverage agenda.

He said within the framework of the Health System Transformation Agenda, a specific sub-component, “Time to Act”, targets the fight against counterfeit medicines and illegal pharmaceutical trafficking.

He revealed that Cameroon has made remarkable progress through firm and coordinated action.

He cited the coordination platform for pharmaceutical regulatory structures, tighter control of the medicine supply chain; market surveillance, which he said, has prevented over 80 batches of counterfeit medicines from entering public health structures since 2023.

Dr Manaouda also mentioned import controls which have intercepted several non-compliant pharmaceutical consignments, and systematic audits of pharmaceutical manufacturing sites to ensure compliance with international standards.

The minister added that the National Multisectoral Committee for the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs continues to function effectively, leading enforcement operations nationwide. 

To ease work within the sector, he said the process of creating the Cameroon Medicines Agency is in progress with draft legislation under review while a local pharmaceutical industry development plan has led to the approval of about 50 locally produced medicines.

This, he said, is prove of government’s determination to ensure that only safe, effective, and quality-assured medicines reach consumers.

Calls for collective responsibility

Dr Manaouda stressed that the battle cannot be won by government alone. The illicit trade in counterfeit medicines transcends borders, making regional and international cooperation essential.

He made known of government’s commitment to working with the African Union and the World Health Organisation to eradicate the transnational crime.

The minister called on all to be active participants in health vigilance and buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies. 

“Health is priceless. No profit justifies endangering human life,” Dr Manaouda declared.

He also appealed to pharmacists and healthcare professionals to remain alert. He urged media professionals and community leaders to educate the public against relying on counterfeit drugs. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3624 of Friday November 14, 2025