Residents of St. Maarten should be encouraged by our political leaders to take an interest in the information presented, as it directly affects all of us, including our children and their children. The practice of trafficking "medications" which are actually fake brews that can kill or cause permanent damage is most serious. We trust our medical professionals to exercise the best care possible when they diagnose and treat us for medical issues. Often that trust must extend to the writing of prescriptions and the receipt of the correct medications in the correct dosages from the pharmacy.
Counterfeit and illicit medicines is truly an international problem which adversely affects hundreds of millions of trusting patients with dire consequences. In 2004 the world saw counterfeit baby formula kill 60 infants in China from malnutrition. Patients who have taken counterfeit antibiotics have died needlessly over the past decade, largely due to the increase of organized crime in distributing such highly profitable "knock offs". The most vulnerable - the poor in small countries where drug purification tests are not available. How can you, as a resident of this beautiful island, know for sure where your prescription medication came from, and whether it is genuine and in the correct dosage?
Interpol's selection of St. Maarten for its conference 28 February through 1 March 2012 is a source of pride to the government and the people. This is a wonderful opportunity to become involved through education of the information that comes from this important conference. Hopefully the Health Minister will make a presentation following this conference to the public.
Claude F. Bordelon
