Crackdown on Counterfeit Drugs in Thailand

Recent reports on counterfeit drugs in Thailand have prompted several government agencies, including the Intellectual Property Department, to investigate and crack down on fake drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Thailand said that over 30 sellers of fake drugs were arrested and over 300,000 products seized earlier this year. Last year, there were over 280 cases and seizure of almost 75,000 products.

The Intellectual Property Department is looking into trademark violations in addition to setting up checkpoints with border patrol. The police will also crack down on importers of fake drugs to stem the flow of counterfeit products.

Many of the discovered fake drugs were imported and sold freely on various night markets. These imitations ranged from copies of Viagra to painkillers and expensive medicines for heart disease and high cholesterol.

The FDA in Thailand is currently investigating if any registered firms have been involved in counterfeit drug production.