Fake, poor quality medicines can kill you even if you don't take them

Ensuring medicine quality is a global challenge as they might be manufactured from ingredients sourced from multiple countries, shipped via several ports, packaged and repackaged in various countries

The manufacture and distribution of medicines is a global industry, tainted by fake and substandard products. Not only might these drugs not work as expected, but some are even contributing to antimicrobial resistance. So, what’s in your medicine cabinet?

In late 2012, 60 people died in two cities in Pakistan after drinking cough syrup to get high. Syrups from two separate manufacturers were involved. It was found that both were using an active ingredient – dextromethorphan, a synthetic morphine-like compound – imported from the same manufacturer in India. Indian drug authorities put a halt to production while they investigated.

Tests in Pakistan