Risk-based guideline for post-marketing quality surveillance of medicines in Ethiopia

Abstract

Good quality medicines are essential for efficient disease management. Substandard and falsified medicines can cause treatment failure and adverse reactions, increase morbidity and mortality, and contribute to the development of drug resistance. Vulnerable populations and patients with comorbidities are at particular risk of being harmed from receiving substandard or falsified medicines. Poor-quality medicines also increase health care costs to both patients and the health system as a whole, wasting resources that could otherwise be used to benefit public health.