Hi, my name is Sadia Baksh and I have been born and brought up in the hustle and bustle of London. I am keen to raise awareness of fake medicines, as their impact across the world is devastating.
In London, I do not feel fake medicines to pose me any serious threat and I have always had confidence in the products that I have been supplied at my local pharmacists. I have been fortunate to not be exposed to fake medications. However, this has not been the case for many of my family members, half way across the world in Bangladesh, where fake medications have had devastating consequences. In rural areas, where many of the nation’s poorest reside, fake medicines appeal to the most needy due to low prices, lack of education and awareness within the areas.
In Bangladesh, fake medicines are a major cause of death of very young children. This is truly heartbreaking, and I have seen the consequences first hand amongst my own family. I believe it is my duty as a future pharmacist to stop such tragedies amongst others around the world, no matter where they are.
As a potential pharmacist, patient care lies at the heart of the profession I hope to embark on. Therefore, by being able to raise awareness of the battle against fake medicines, I hope to help unsuspecting patients avoid harm to many . It is my job as a healthcare professional to ensure that patients are supplied with genuine and therapeutically effective medications, and products they will have faith in to provide them with the relief they need.
As part of UCL’s School of Pharmacy, working alongside Fight the Fakes will provide an excellent opportunity to combat the issue of fake medications that have crippled and continue to cripple the developing world.
