Review of Drug Quality in Asia with Focus on Anti-Infectives

Published by USP DQI (United States Pharmacopeia Drug Quality and Information Program), this 45-page publication, made possible by USAID (United States Agency for International Development), aims to review the drug quality, with focus on anti-infective drugs, in selected developing countries in Asia because of the increasing resistance to these drugs resulting in increased morbidity/mortality.

Eleven Asian countries - Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos), Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam - were selected for this review, mainly because drug quality information (studies and reports) on these countries were readily available.

Based on the information presented in country studies/reports, this review concludes that poor quality drugs, especially anti-infectives, are widely available in some Asian countries. "Use of these drugs endangers lives, wastes scarce resources, and contributes to drug resistance. Efforts to combat this problem should be undertaken on all levels. At the national level, recommendations include: Strengthening the drug quality assurance system; asserting strong political will and securing commitment from the government to improve drug quality by enacting comprehensive drug regulations; strengthening or establishing adequately resourced drug regulatory authorities; increasing the number of adequately trained drug inspectors; establishing a drug quality control laboratory with adequate equipment and trained personnel; strengthening law enforcement; enhancing cooperation among stakeholders; increasing the availability of inexpensive, quality assured drugs; reducing or eliminating corruption; and raising awareness of the problem of counterfeit or substandard drugs among health care professionals and the consumers."

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a private, nonprofit volunteer-driven organisation. It has been a pharmaceutical standards-setting authority in the United States since 1820, whose standards are used in at least 35 countries. Since 1975, USP has been aiming to develop authoritative, unbiased information that has gone through evidence-based review process involving the USP volunteer experts.