‘Africa a hotspot for fake Covid-19 vaccinations’

Analysts warn that the unequal global distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world could spur the trade in fake doses in Africa, a hotspot for counterfeit medicines. ‘Already Africa has a problem with counterfeit medicines. The lack of local production and weak enforcement have for years allowed products to enter countries, such as fake medication for malaria in West Africa,’ said Richard Chelin, senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies. A report on the allAfrica site notes that he said with wealthy nations hoarding vaccines, the situation was likely to deteriorate. ‘The consequence of this vaccine grabbing is that it creates opportunity for criminal networks. Everyone wants the vaccine and people will panic and buy whatever is out there,’ he added. The recent seizure of thousands of fake-19 vaccines in SA led to the identification of a network manufacturing counterfeit Covid-19 vaccines in Asia. Chinese police raided the plant, making about 80 arrests and recovering more than 3 000 fake doses. The Kenyan Government last week reversed a decision to allow private healthcare firms import vaccine, saying such shipments could be counterfeit. The WHO estimates that 42% of the world's reported cases of fake pharmaceuticals were found in Africa between 2013 and 2017.

With long queues at clinics in SA and Covid-19 restrictions, women struggling to access health services are turning to an illicit market for birth control pills. A GroundUp investigation found that the pills are supplied free by Zimbabwean clinics through the country’s Department of Health. Familiar brands from back home are preferred by many immigrant Zimbabwean women instead of the brands supplied in South African clinics. A report on the News24 site notes that smugglers say they also have demand from Mozambican, Malawian, Basotho and South African women.