Countering Pharmaceutical Fraud: Analyzing Pharmacist Competence and Policy Interventions in Falsified Medicines in Shymkent

Authors

  • Lyudmila S Yermukhanova West-Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
  • Mohammadreza Afshar West-Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
  • Gulsim N Amirkhanova West-Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
  • Aigul Z Mussina West-Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
  • Ardak N Nurbakyt Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Gulnara D Sultanova West-Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
  • Indira T Abdikadirova West-Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan
  • Nurgul Zholdassova Khoja Ahmed Yassawi International Kazakh University-Turkish/Turkish- Kazakh University, Turkestan, Kazakhstan
  • Maral Nogaeva Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v24i2.81718

Keywords:

Falsified Medicines; Pharmaceutical Counterfeiting; Drug Safety; Supply Chain Integrity; Pharmacists

Abstract

Background Falsified medicines pose a severe threat to global healthcare, contributing to treatment failures, adverse health outcomes, and economic burdens. Aims This study aims to assess the awareness, detection capabilities, and reporting behaviors of pharmacists in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, regarding falsified medicines. Method A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating a quantitative survey of 250 pharmacists and qualitative interviews with industry professionals. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and inferential statistical methods. The findings indicate that weight-loss medications are the most frequently falsified drugs in Shymkent, followed by erectile dysfunction drugs, weight-loss medications, and antibiotics. Most pharmacists relied on visual inspection to identify falsified medicines, but only 31% reported using formal reporting mechanisms, such as the Yellow Card Scheme. Notably, 72.8% of pharmacists actively reported cases of falsified medicines, yet many expressed uncertainty about detection techniques. A significant proportion of respondents lacked formal training in falsified medicine identification, and over half (51.6%) showed reluctance to participate in future training programs. Results This study highlights critical gaps in pharmacist training and regulatory enforcement, emphasizing the need for advanced detection technologies, enhanced regulatory cooperation, and pharmacist education initiatives. Strengthening the role of pharmacists in early detection and reporting, combined with the implementation of AI-driven verification systems and blockchain tracking, could significantly reduce the circulation of falsified medicines. Conclusion Future policies should focus on cross-border collaboration, stricter legal frameworks, and investment in pharmacist training to safeguard public health.

Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 24 No. 02 April’25 Page : 514-525                   

Downloads

Abstract
196
PDF
217

Downloads

Published

2025-05-17

How to Cite

Yermukhanova, L. S., Afshar, M., Amirkhanova, G. N., Mussina, A. Z., Nurbakyt, A. N., Sultanova, G. D., … Nogaeva, M. (2025). Countering Pharmaceutical Fraud: Analyzing Pharmacist Competence and Policy Interventions in Falsified Medicines in Shymkent. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science, 24(2), 514–525 . https://doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v24i2.81718

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Lyudmila S Yermukhanova, Mohammadreza Afshar, Gulsim N Amirkhanova, Aigul Z Mussina, Ardak N Nurbakyt, Gulnara D Sultanova, Indira T Abdikadirova, Nurgul Zholdassova, Maral Nogaeva

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish in the Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science agree to the following terms that:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science the right of first publication of the work.

  2. Creative Commons Licence
    Articles in Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License CC BY-4.0.This license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
  3. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  4. Authors are permitted to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as greater citation of published work.