According to Dr. Mohamedine Ibrahim Toure, these drugs sold on the ground are killing people. "They are fake, poorly maintained and most of them are date-expired. Those who sell them do not have any experience in the field of pharmacy. These fake drugs are a real danger to their consumers," says the doctor.

Ms. Keita Ra mata Dembélé, a pharmacist in the district Badialan 2, in Bamako, says the same thing as the previous speaker: "Customers who purchase from these sellers do not see the risk they are taking by consuming these products. They see that the price is not high. These products are all the time displayed in the sun, they are not good to use, "she says. "Pharmacists can provide medicines to each patient according to their means," she adds.

To the question on the measures taken by the state to fight against the sale of these products in Mali, the pharmacist answers: "Nothing has changed. Drugs are still sold on the street as it was the case before".

For Sadia Korpos, an officer at the Directorate of pharmacy and medicines (MPM), there has been, in Mali, since 2002, a national commission against the illicit sale of drugs. It set up a commission to destroy pharmaceuticals. Repressive structures such as the police, gendarmerie, justice and drugs squad collect fake drugs. They store them in a warehouse at MPM. These collected drugs are divided into two groups: drugs and medicines. Drugs are destroyed annually and medicines quarterly.

"People mix up things. One can find at the pharmacy the same medicine sold in the street. This does not necessarily mean that it is bought from street vendors who have their own supply chains, "said Mrs. Korpos. She adds: "Contrary to what some people say, medications we collect, are destroyed systematically."

On the side of consumers, opinions are different. They think the drugs found on the ground are effective and cheaper than in the pharmacy. They add that these are the same drugs found in pharmacies. This is the case of Zeina, a housewife who lives in the district Badialan 2 in Bamako. She says: "I have been using these drugs for seven years now. I am still alive and healthy. So for me, these are good drugs, it's the same thing sold in the pharmacy".

This statement is shared by another housewife, Amy Cissé, who says: "I am poor, I have three children. I cannot go to hospital every time I am sick. I buy these drugs on the street. They are cheaper and you can take them without prescriptions. At the hospital, it is very hard for someone who has no financial support".

The origin of street drugs, however, remains enigmatic. Djeneba Dembélé, saleswoman of uncontrolled medicines in the big market in Bamako says: "these drugs come from China and India. They are good drugs, since patients come back every time to buy them". "They are effective drugs", she concludes.

Dramane, a young saleman in Hamdalaye, does not agree: "These are date-expired drugs in France, that are sold here. I will never buy these drugs", he insists.

The "Pharmacy on the ground", is thus being marketed between the official indifference of the authorities, the rejection of some enlightened people and the adoption by a great deal of people. 800,000 people die, especially in Africa, they are recorded each year following complications after the use of these dangerous products, without anyone knowing who is behind these criminal networks.