TANZANIA, Oct. 22 -- THE governments decision to intensify the crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines is a necessary step towards protecting public health in Tanzania.

Medicines are meant to heal and save lives, but fake or poor-quality products expose patients to serious risks and undermine public confidence in healthcare services.

Minister for Health Mohamed Mchengerwas directives to the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) deserve support.

However, success will depend on effective implementation, adequate resources and sustained accountability. The World Health Organisation estimates that one in every 10 medical products in low- and middle-income countries is substandard or falsified.

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