PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The President of the Association of Haitian Pharmacists, Pierre Hugues, has warned the population against the increase in counterfeit drugs due to the shortage in pharmacies and the health system.
According to Hugues, the risk of counterfeiting increases because “demand is high,” the absence of border controls and impunity encourages the smuggling of counterfeit medicines.
Hugues recalled that Haiti depended on imported medicines for nearly 70% of its needs.
“Today, ports and airports are closed or dysfunctional, which affects the entire health sector, which lacks supplies and medicines and prevents thousands of patients from continuing their treatment.”
Of the 216 laboratories that officially supply pharmacies in Haiti, only three are located on the national territory and typically cover between 25 and 30% of national needs.
He pointed out that one is inactive due to insecurity, and the other operates below its maximum capacity.
Hugues also lamented the destruction of over ten pharmacies by gangs that looted and burned them in recent days.
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