A Cross-Sectional Investigation for Verification of Globalization of Falsified Medicines in Cambodia, Indicated by Tablets of Sildenafil Citrate
Naoko Yoshida,
Miku Yuasa,
Tey Sovannarith,
Eav Dararth,
Tep Keila,
Heng Bun Kiet,
Hirohito Tsuboi,
Tsuyoshi Tanimoto,
Kazuko Kimura
Affiliations
Naoko Yoshida
Clinical Pharmacy and Healthcare Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-Machi, Kanazawa 920–1192, Japan
Miku Yuasa
Clinical Pharmacy and Healthcare Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-Machi, Kanazawa 920–1192, Japan
Tey Sovannarith
National Health Product Quality Control Center, Ministry of Health, 151–153 Kampuchea Krom St., Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh 12250, Cambodia
Eav Dararth
Department of Drugs and Food, Ministry of Health, 151–153 Kampuchea Krom St., Khan 7 Makara 12250, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tep Keila
National Health Product Quality Control Center, Ministry of Health, 151–153 Kampuchea Krom St., Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh 12250, Cambodia
Heng Bun Kiet
Department of Drugs and Food, Ministry of Health, 151–153 Kampuchea Krom St., Khan 7 Makara 12250, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Hirohito Tsuboi
Clinical Pharmacy and Healthcare Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-Machi, Kanazawa 920–1192, Japan
Tsuyoshi Tanimoto
Osaka Office, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Science Society of Japan, Sawanotsuru building 8th Floor, 2-1-2 Hiranocho, Chuo-Ku, Osaka 541-0046, Japan
Kazuko Kimura
Medi-Quality Security Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-Machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
Medicine falsification is a global issue. Viagra, an erectile dysfunction therapeutic (EDT) medicine consisting primarily of sildenafil citrate, is the most commonly falsified medicine worldwide. Recently falsified EDTs have been reported multiple times in developing countries. The globalization of falsified EDTs has become a concern. In the present study, we selected sildenafil citrate tablets as an indicator and examined samples from a developing country, Cambodia, to investigate the availability of falsified sildenafil tablets in Cambodia and verify the current globalization status of falsified medicines from the standpoint of a developing country. Six samples of the originator Viagra, and 68 samples of generic sildenafil products were purchased from private drug outlets and wholesalers in Phnom Penh, Svay Rieng, and Battambang. The samples’ manufacturers were contacted to authenticate the samples. The quantities and dissolution rates of active ingredients were measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography system with photodiode array. Five generic samples were strongly suspected to be falsified medicines because of their extremely low quality; however, there was little distribution and no falsified medicine alleged to be produced by the originator of Viagra, which charges high prices. That finding indicates that falsification reflects local economic circumstances.
