December
16, 2017
OVER
Ks1.8 billion worth of confiscated medicines, which were sold under the name of
BPI with fake packaging in the marketplace, and Ks16.5 million worth of
low-quality denatured alcohol have been destroyed within the compound of the
Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein) in Yangon on Saturday.
U
Ko Ko Lwin, Managing Director of Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, said: “We used
different methods to destroy a wide variety of counterfeit medicines without
environmental impact. Dilution is one way to destroy drugs, especially for
low-quality denatured alcohol. We use rollers to damage some tablets and
capsules and put them in the ground, planning to destroy the rest of the
medicines by fire at Waste-to-Energy Factory in Yangon’s Hlawga Township, which
is currently operated by Yangon City Development Committee.”
Since
September 2006, collaborative efforts have been made by the Ministry of Home
Affairs, Special Investigation Bureau and the Ministry of Industry to inspect
illegal production and distribution of fake drugs. A wide variety of
counterfeit medicines amounting to over Ks2.8 billion were seized during raids
at the warehouses, shops and other locations. Of the total, some confiscated
drugs were firstly destroyed after final decisions for relevant cases have been
made by judges.
U
Ko Ko Aung said: “This is the first time authorities destroyed billions worth
of those drugs with fake labelling and privately produced low-quality denatured
alcohol in many years.”
Those
fake drugs were mostly confiscated in Yangon and Mandalay regions, with the
majority of them illegally imported from foreign countries.
“Those
fake drugs are likely to remain in the domestic market as we continue measures
to uncover a network of counterfeit medication sales distribution chains mainly
in the two big cities. Thanks to the operation, the sale of fake drugs
significantly decreased in the market. Further investigation will continue in
the market in an effort to eliminate counterfeit drugs,” U Ko Ko Aung
continued.
U
Ko Ko Aung also urges people to check medicines before they buy so as to
protect themselves from the possible risks of fake drugs and expired medicines.
A
total of 287 kinds of medicines have been produced by Myanmar Pharmaceutical
Factory, which was previously known as Burma Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI),
mainly from Yangon and Kyaukse. Those factories manufacture new medicines each
year.
The
majority of medicines are imported from foreign countries as Myanmar produces
below 15 per cent of national requirements, including the private sector. The
MPF currently produces only 10 per cent of total consumption.
In
April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was also able to identify and
seize more than Ks16.5 million worth of sub-standard alcohol (spirits) produced
and distributed without permission.
The
value of the confiscated fake BPI medicines are a record high throughout the
history of seized fake medicines, officials said.
Some
of the fake BPI medicines and sub-standard alcohol were burnt or buried
yesterday at Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein).
The
remaining fake medicines will be burnt and destroyed in the YCDC waste-to-energy
factory in Hlawga.
Destruction
of the fake medicines and sub-standard alcohol were conducted according to WHO
guidelines in order to prevent damage to the environment. The sub-standard
alcohol was diluted and treated in a wastewater tank, which was then discarded
down the drain. The fake medicines were destroyed by roller and buried.
Medicines
that are not produced according to GMP guidelines are not effective in treating
illnesses and could make the patient’s situation worse. Detaining and destroying
fake BPI medicines will support the health of the public in addition to having
good quality medicines available in the market, officials said.
According
to official statistics, the MPF produced medicines worth Ks28-30 billion in
2016-2017 fiscal year. The figures increased to Ks50 billion in the current FY.
By
May Thet Hnin
Ref;
The
Global New Light of Myanmar
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