The Minilab Network

Poor-quality medicines directly affect medication safety and have tremendous negative health and socioeconomic effects. In order to support faith-based Drug Supply Organizations (DSOs) and further partners to assure the quality of medicines, the DIFAM EPN Minilab project was
started in 2010. The EPN–DIFAEM Minilab Network is a coordinated quality surveillance system that equips faith-based Drug Supply Organizations (DSOs) in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) to screen medicines locally and rapidly. Minilab is main useful in regions where there is limited access to regular drug quality testing. It is used to detect suspicious, falsified, or substandard medicines early, before they harm patients.

As of February 2026, the network brings together 19 partners across 13 countries. Since its inception, it has tested more than 21,000 medicine samples, contributing to seven WHO Medical Product Alerts between 2019 and 2023. These alerts demonstrate that locally generated evidence can trigger international action.

Operations: The DIFAEM-EPN Minilab network has a strong footprint in both Francophone and Anglophone countries of Africa, namely; Cameroon, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic, Chad, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, India. Across these countries, the network not only tests medicines but also promotes awareness of medicine quality, improves procurement and supply practices within church health systems, and strengthens collaboration with National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs).

The network uses structured and collaborative approach, combining technical support, training, and systematic reporting to ensure credible results and real impact.

1. Reagents and Reference Standards: EPN and DIFAEM supply the required chemicals, thin-layer chromatography plates, and authentic reference products to ensure standardized testing across all sites.
2. Risk-Based Sampling: DSOs collect samples strategically, focusing on high-risk sources such as informal vendors, border areas, or medicines with known quality concerns.
3. Routine Testing and Reporting: Medicines are tested monthly. If a product fails screening, it is retested to confirm the result before further action is taken.
4. Confirmatory Testing: Suspected substandard or falsified (SF) medicines are sent for full compendial analysis at the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) laboratory in Nairobi.
5. Regulatory Engagement: Results are shared with National Regulatory Authorities and, when necessary, reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), enabling global alerts.

This layered approach ensures rapid detection at the local level while maintaining scientific credibility through confirmatory testing. It also builds long-term capacity within faith-based health systems for medicine quality assurance.

Notable Milestones

The Minilab network has played a critical role in detecting unsafe medicines, especially during public health crises.

1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, falsified chloroquine was detected in Cameroon and DRC. Some samples contained less than a quarter of the stated active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), while others contained unrelated substances such as paracetamol or metronidazole. These findings contributed to WHO alerts.
2. In Nigeria, a study of 260 samples revealed that 1.5% were falsified and 23.9% were substandard—highlighting that quality risks can exist even among licensed vendors.
3. In 2023, the network tested 1,760 samples and identified 57 non-compliant products (3.2%). Most were medicines used to treat infectious diseases: Antibiotics (52.6%), Antimalarials (19.3%), Antifungals (3.5%), Anthelmintics (3.5%)

These findings are significant not only for patient safety but also for combating antimicrobial resistance. Substandard antibiotics, in particular, can accelerate resistance and undermine treatment outcomes.

Lessons from Experience

Over the years, the network has generated valuable insights:

1. Expanding Minilab distribution increases visibility. The more countries and partners involved, the greater the awareness and detection of poor-quality medicines.
2. Collaboration is essential. Strong partnerships between DSOs, NRAs, WHO, and other stakeholders accelerate action against SF medicines.
3. Risk-based sampling is effective. Targeting high-risk markets and suppliers improves efficiency and impact.
4. Timeliness remains a challenge. Confirmatory testing and regulatory action can take time, sometimes delaying broader public warnings.

These lessons continue to shape the evolution of the network.

Strengthening the Fight Against Substandard and Falsified Medicines

EPN promotes a comprehensive, system-wide response to poor-quality medicines. Testing alone is not enough. The fight must address the entire pharmaceutical supply chain and regulatory environment.

The network advocates for:

1. Stronger legislation, with enforceable penalties for producing and distributing falsified medicines.
2. Improved regulatory capacity, enabling NRAs to act swiftly on quality reports.
3. Enhanced collaboration between DSOs, governments, and international partners.
4. Better communication, ensuring healthcare workers, patients, and the public understand medicine quality risks.

This approach aligns with good practices across the supply chain—from manufacturing and registration, to procurement and distribution, to prescribing and dispensing.

Why the Network Matters

The EPN–DIFAEM Minilab Network demonstrates that faith-based health systems can play a proactive and credible role in medicine quality surveillance. By equipping DSOs with practical tools and training, the network empowers local actors to detect unsafe medicines early and protect communities. Key takeaways include:

1. The Minilab is a portable, cost-effective, and reliable screening tool.
2. Faith-based DSOs can actively monitor medicine quality rather than waiting for external inspections.
3. Collaboration with regulatory authorities and WHO amplifies local findings into global action.
4. Continuous training, data sharing, and network expansion are essential for sustained impact.