|
|
| African leaders agree to fight against fake drugs
|
|
|
| |
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) -
African Heads of State and representatives of the intern
ational community, on Monday in Cotonou, the capital of Benin, pledged to fight
a
gainst the manufacturing and marketing of counterfeit drugs.
In a statement, titled "Call of Cotonou", read by former French President Jacque
s Chirac, participants agreed to work together to stop the illicit production an
d
trade on fake medicines.
They also called for accountability on the part of all actors, including the mas
ses, to implement appropriate actions, and suggested that genetic medicines, inc
l
uding essential drugs recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), be mad
e
available for all.
In the statement, the leaders expressed the wish that states should immediately
implement secured policies of universal access to quality medicines consistent w
i
th the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
They urged heads of state and government, local and international non-government
al organisations to take the full measure of health issues and public safety rel
a
ted to counterfeit drugs and to take appropriate action at national level.
Signatories to the statement in Cotonou will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, in 201
0 for a global conference aimed at boosting the fight against counterfeit drugs.
|
| |
| Cotonou - 12/10/2009 |
| |
|
|