The United Nations has warned of a growing public health threat from the trafficking of counterfeit and illicit medicines across Central Africa. The warning is contained in a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Health Organization and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. The report said the six CEMAC countries, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon are particularly vulnerable due to the high prevalence of diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, coupled with limited access to affordable and safe medicines. According to the report, traffickers divert prescription drugs from regulated supply chains and national health programmes, while also distributing counterfeit, substandard or unapproved medicines. The drugs include antibiotics, anti-malarials, painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines and psychoactive substances such as tramadol and pregabalin. At least 251 tonnes of medicines were seized across the six countries between 2020 and 2025. The UN said the illicit trade can result in treatment failures, poisoning and preventable deaths, while also strengthening organised crime and weakening public institutions.