{Rwanda National Police (RNP) is planning to establish a unit responsible for fighting counterfeit and illicit pharmaceuticals which may be locally manufactured or imported illegally. }
Once established, the unit will support already existing efforts in fighting the scourge.
The plan stems from the realization that the menace of counterfeit medicines presents a serious and increasing threat to patient safety and public health if they go unchecked.
On February 5, RNP conducted a training workshop involving 15 officers and 10 civilians, who sought skills and knowledge that will be useful in detecting fake medicines and efficiently run the unit once it is up and running.
The two-day workshop is conducted at the RNP Headquarters in Kacyiru in partnership with Interpol which provided trainers
The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Dan Munyuza, while officiating at the opening, said the unit will combat counterfeits in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and foods, but also extend its expertise in fighting counterfeits of all types, including electronics, pesticides, construction materials and other products.
“Counterfeit and pharmaceutical crimes pose serious risks to public health, public safety and affect genuine businesses by undermining quality, fair competition, confidence of consumers and the credibility of the involved countries,” he said.
“As a member of Interpol, Rwanda is committed to combat this scourge that has affected people worldwide. Once established, the unit will conduct operations in targeted areas among others; entry and exit points, warehouses, supermarkets, healthcare centers and pharmacies.”
One of the trainers, Colonel Bruno Manin, said that RNP has expressed a high level of organization which will facilitate the efficient running of the unit, which will also have the authority to investigate and arrest culprits of offenses related to counterfeiting products.
“We presented a realistic model of how the unit will work, showing the responsibilities of personnel who will be charged daily with dealing with pharmaceutical crimes and other forms of counterfeit,” he said.
“The unit will be expected to be operational in all provinces and offices will make spontaneous checks at exit and entry points, as well as conduct public awareness on the effects of counterfeit medicines.”
Counterfeiting is one of the fastest growing economic crimes of the modern times and presents countries a unique set of problems.
Since 2008, RNP participated in Interpol led operations dubbed Mamba (2008), Wipe Out (June 2014) and Opson-Fagia (December) in which counterfeit and illegal pharmaceuticals were seized.
RNP
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