Source: Tribuna do Brasil - DF - GRANDE BRASILIA - 25/08/2009

The drug counterfeiting mafia managed to install points of sale throughout the country, including the DF. The Federal Police, the Health Surveillance Directorate (DIVISA) and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) intensify actions to dismantle these criminal relationships. In the fight against piracy, this year alone 316 tons of drugs were seized in operations in Brazil. 312 adulterated products were collected in the three actions carried out.

A black market that moves about R $ 522 billion a year, according to a survey carried out by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the counterfeiting of basic health drugs has become a criminal industrial activity that is difficult to fight. Today, 10% of the world market is pirated products and, in less developed countries, this data reaches up to 20%. "It is not just a Brazilian reality, but a worldwide problem," said André Barcellos, Executive Secretary of the National Council to Combat Piracy and Crimes against Intellectual Property.

After pointing out an imbalance of competition to the detriment of society as a whole and an imminent risk in the country's economy, the health regulatory body - Anvisa - sought partnerships with other entities and also with the police to strengthen enforcement and fight against these practices . In 2003, a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) was installed to investigate complaints about counterfeit medicines. As a result, in 2004, the report indicated a council to develop the issue, together with public and private entities. Since then the actions have started.

The DF already registers movement in the illegal drug market. In order to oversee the sale of counterfeit and smuggled products, the Health Surveillance Directorate - linked to the Health Surveillance Secretariat - is implementing a technical working group for special operations, aiming to program actions to prevent and suppress actions against abuse and sales of these products. This year, three joint actions were taken, DIVISA-DF, ANVISA and the Federal Police, which resulted in the arrest of two individuals for the sale of contraband drugs, stolen and counterfeit products. "The origin of these products is not yet known, many come from stolen or smuggled cargo from neighboring countries, and some are manufactured or tampered with in illegal places right here in Brazil," explained Berenice Brito, Director of DIVISA - DF. In the Federal District, the largest amount of seizures was made in Ceilândia and Taguatinga. To reach the authenticity of the medicine, the Health Department warns that it is important that the consumer always tries to buy in pharmacies and drugstores licensed by Divisa –DF.

Source: Tribuna do Brasil