Tackling the global impact of substandard and falsified and unregistered/unlicensed anti-tuberculosis medicines

Abstract

Substandard and falsified (SF) medicines are a global health challenge with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that 1 in 10 of medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are SF. Antimicrobials (i.e. antimalarials, antibiotics) are the most commonly reported SF medicines. SF medicines contribute significantly to the global burden of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This article discusses the challenges associated with the global impact of SF and unregistered/unlicensed antimicrobials with a focus on anti-TB medicines. Tuberculosis (TB) is the 13th leading cause of death worldwide, and is currently the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, ranking after COVID-19 and above HIV/AIDS. Specifically in the case of TB, poor quality of anti-TB medicines is among the drivers of the emergence of drug-resistant TB pathogens. In this article, we highlight and discuss challenges including the emergence of SF associated AMR, patient mistrust and lack of relevant data. We also present study reports to inform meaningful change. Recommended solutions involve the adaptation of interventions from high-income countries (HICs) to LMICS, the need for improvement in the uptake of medication authentication tools in LMICs, increased stewardship, and the need for global and regional multidisciplinary legal and policy cooperation, resulting in improved legal sanctions.