Public warned on proliferation of fake medicines

MANILA, Philippines - The government warned yesterday the public on the proliferation of fake medicine.

In a press conference, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent in charge of Intellectual Property violations Joel Tovero said that counterfeit medicines cost 50 percent less than the original brand.

Among the brands that are being counterfeited are Pfizer, Unilab, Servier and Astra Zenica. IPOPHIL Director General Ricardo Blancaflor said that one of the most common imitation product is Pfizer’s Viagra.

Blancaflor noted that there is a growing trend in the proliferation of fake medicine and fake food products. He said that one percent to two percent of the total seizures is food and drugs. Last year, seized fake food and drugs amounted to P50 million.

In relation to this, IPOPHIL will hold the 1st Philippine Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Summit to coincide with the National IPR Week. Dubbed as the first of its kind in the Philippines, the five-day event will bring together the heads of relevant government agencies, local government units, representatives of foreign states, international organizations, business groups, and IP stakeholders to increase public awareness on the serious risks that counterfeiting and piracy pose to the Philippine economy, public welfare, health, and safety.

The five-day event, to be held from Oct. 24 to 28, 2011 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City, is organized in partnership with member agencies of the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the US State Department, the IPR Business Partnership (IPBP), and the International Trademarks Association (INTA).

The program will also highlight other topics related to the efficient and effective protection and enforcement of IPR, such as the role of LGUs in the campaign against counterfeiting and piracy and the effective prosecution of IPR violation cases.

The summit will also feature workshops on the Risks, Health and Safety Concerns of Counterfeit and Pirated Items, and on Effective Border Control Measures. A Roundtable Discussion on Internet Piracy and Landlord Liability will also be conducted, to be attended by members of the Legislature, NCIPR member-agencies, representatives from loval government units, as well as IP stakeholders.