The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Department of Dubai Customs has confiscated significant quantities of counterfeit medicine in coordination with the UAE Ministry of Health, it was announced at a press conference held today (Tuesday, May 30, 2006) at the Dubai Customs main building in Bur Dubai.
The announcement was made by Mohammed Matar Al Mari, Executive Director of Customs Operations, Dubai Customs. Also present at the press conference were Yousuf Ozair, Manager, Customs Preventive Department, Dubai Customs and Dr. Issa bin Jakka Al Mansouri, Director of the Department of Drug Control, UAE Ministry of Health.
“This is a major achievement, and has been made possible by the high state of alert maintained by Dubai Customs inspectors,” said Mohammed Matar Al Mari. “Dubai Customs has embarked on innovative strategies to thwart attempts to smuggle counterfeit medicine into the country, and the confiscation of large quantities of fake drugs indicates that these efforts are bearing fruition. We thank the Ministry of Health for their support and look forward to associating with them in the future.”
Ozair Said: "According to statistics available with Dubai Customs, injection medicines account for the bulk of counterfeit medicines seized in 2005 at 38 per cent. Assorted medicaments come next at 23 per cent, followed by Viagra tablets, herbal medicines, medicinal stickers, and medicines for the treatment of AIDS."
About 41 per cent of counterfeit drugs seized in 2005 came from the Far East, while 35 per cent came from North Asia. The Middle East, Africa and Europe regions accounted for 8 per cent each.
