INSPECTIONS of 290 containers at 15 African ports has netted 113 million counterfeit pharmaceuticals during an operation led by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), in association with the International Institute of Research Against Counterfeit Medicines (IRACM).
The operation took place over a 10-day period this spring but results were only presented at a press conference in Paris last week.
The number of interceptions shows the volume of illicit and counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Africa, said WCO secretary general Kunio Mikuriya, according to Lloyd's Loading List.
Most of the medicines were uncovered in ports in Benin, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and many of them had been shipped from either China or India.
The operation also targeted ports in Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo.
Most of the counterfeits seized by African Customs authorities included analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics and therapeutic drugs to treat tuberculosis.
The operation also resulted in, for the first time, significant detection of illicit veterinary products.
PORTS
29 September 2014 - 21:48
Customs swoop at 15 African ports and net 113 million fake meds
INSPECTIONS of 290 containers at 15 African ports has netted 113 million counterfeit pharmaceuticals during an operation led by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), in association with the International Institute of Research Against Counterfeit Medicines (IRACM).
PORTS
29 September 2014 - 21:48
Customs swoop at 15 African ports and net 113 million fake meds
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