US embassy hosts counterfeit drugs workshop

The Embassy of the United States of America – together with the American Chamber of Commerce, the National Intellectual Property Office, and the Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) – hosted a workshop in Jaffna on May 22 titled ‘Protecting Sri Lankan Families from Counterfeit Drugs’. The workshop was attended by 100 participants including pharmacists, police officers and health officers in the region.

US Embassy Economic Counsellor Edward Heartney said, “Virtually every country is grappling with the scourge of fake, counterfeit and unregistered drugs – just as Sri Lanka is. It is important that when a person goes to the pharmacy to purchase medicine for a sick family member, or orders medicine from an on-line provider, that he or she can be certain that the medicine is genuine. And for that reason, I’m particularly pleased to see the active participation of Sri Lanka’s pharmacists, chemists, pharmacy students and pharmacy owners today. As you know, you play perhaps the most critical role in this matter.”

Managing Director GSK (GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals) and Vice President, SLCPI Stuart Chapman welcomed participants to the workshop and noted that counterfeit medicines are a global menace that also threatens Sri Lanka. Addressing the professional pharmacists in the audience, he said, “As responsible pharmacists you will no doubt agree that your prime responsibility is towards protecting the interest of patients. It is through the protection of patients that we can ensure the long-term success and profitability of our businesses.

Honouring a doctor’s prescription by providing the genuine brand requested is of paramount importance.” Director General, of the National Intellectual Property Office D M Karunratne and retired Health Ministry Food and Drugs Inspector T Mahadevan, also made presentations regarding the intellectual property laws applicable to pharmaceuticals and the mechanisms set up to enforce them. GSK Pharmaceuticals conducted a session on identification of counterfeit drugs. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, who could not attend the conference, sent a statement which was read to the audience.

This was the fourth and the final seminar to show how pharmacists, doctors, the police and other government officials can work together. The US Department of State is the principal sponsor of the campaign. The US Embassy in Colombo and the SLCPI have also provided funds for this important programme.