Nigeria, April 22 -- In August 2024, Congo-Brazzaville President Denis Nguesso received a World Health Organisation (WHO) award for his commitment to promoting health in Africa and his country. His achievements included a decade of work to address the counterfeit medicine trade in Congo-Brazzaville and across the continent.

But despite these efforts, the illegal trade in fake medicines and genuine medication not authorised for use in Congo-Brazzaville persists. In major cities like Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, medicine supplies are largely provided by the private sector (59 per cent), with 28 per cent of supply from the illegal trade, and the remaining 13 per cent from the public health system.

This indicates a public health crisis cha...