Delay In Custom Clearance And Detaining Of Medicnes By Customs Authority: Assessing Customs Controversy And Their Impact On Access To Medicnes

Abstract

Medicines are the most significant tool that society possesses to prevent, alleviate, and cure disease.1 Millions of people especially in least developed and developing countries rely on affordable medicines produced in other countries to stay alive. It is estimated that between 1.7 and 2 billion people worldwide have inadequate or no access to lifesaving medicines. Low-income levels, weak healthcare systems, rising costs of medical supplies and poor custom administration have been identified as some of the chief culprits of impeded access.2 After the presence of trained health professionals, medicines are the single most critical element in the maintenance of health and the successful treatment of disease and illness. Shortages of medicines because of several factors undermine the ability of healthcare workers to respond appropriately to patient needs and this in turn often erodes the confidence and trust patients and their families will have on local health systems. Most illnesses, especially transmittable diseases, are either preventable or to some extent treatable with a relatively small number of medicines. 3However, accessibility of such medicine is being hampered by several factors which are becoming global concern for the past of couple of decades.