Medicine Quality Scientific Literature Surveyor disclaimer and caveats
The System
This system aggregates, tabulates and maps publicly available information on the quality of medical products (i.e. medicines, vaccines, diagnostic tests and devices) globally from the scientific, grey (e.g. research, project reports produced by organisations outside the traditional publishing channels) and regulatory literature. The information is extracted from these publications and responsibility for the accuracy of these data and their interpretation rests with the primary publication. The data are geographically heterogeneous and an important caveat is that no/few reports from a country or area does not imply that medical product quality there is good but that there are no/few accessible data from that country or area. Similarly, many reports of poor quality medical products in a country does not imply that medical product quality there is universally grave in comparison to elsewhere. Countries with many data points should be lauded for facilitating such reporting.
The system does not currently have access to many other closed sources of data, such as from the pharmaceutical industry, governments, paywalled media and other national or international organisations. In addition, although we endeavour to include published corrections of previously published literature we cannot guarantee that these are included.
There is often insufficient information to distinguish poor quality medicines resulting from poor manufacturing practices from those due to degradation due to post-production inappropriate storage. In addition, different authors may make a different use of definitions of poor-quality medicines. Therefore, these two issues may be confused. If you notice any errors or omissions please contact us at medicinequality@iddo.org.
Data access and use
The map is freely accessible and the data behind it is freely downloadable through the download button. If you use the data in your work we would be grateful if the ‘Medicine Quality Research Group and the Infectious Disease Data Observatory Medicine Quality Scientific Literature Surveyor’ could be acknowledged. Please contact medicinequality@iddo.org if you need further information.
University of Oxford
The data contained in this tool are for information purposes only and are provided by the University of Oxford. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk and is based on the primary publication. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, loss of data or profits, or loss of business.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of the University of Oxford. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, the University of Oxford takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
Please also see IDDO terms of use.