The workshop was held under the co-chair of  Senior Colonel, Dr. Tran Minh Chat, Vice President of the PPA and Mr. Pierre GUITON, French Police Attaché in Vietnam. Attending the reference were representatives of the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia, the Ministry of Public Security of Laos, the Royal Police of Thailand, experts of the Interpol; representatives of the General Department of Customs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Public Security and some pharmaceutical companies in Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Police Senior Colonel Tran Minh Chat showed risks and negative effects of manufacturing and trading counterfeit medicine to countries in the region as well as to Vietnam. He also affirmed that cooperation between Police - Customs – Public Health on counterfeit medicine prevention and suppression was urgent requirement currently.

Mr. Pierre GUITON, French Police Attaché in Vietnam spoke 

at the opening ceremony

At the workshop, the participants discussed and exchanged experiences in counterfeit medicine prevention and suppression, proposed solutions to prevent effectively these crimes. All of them emphasized that the current situation of manufacturing and trading counterfeit medicine happened too complicated with sophisticated tactics, causing serious consequences on many aspects of society. Thus, it was necessary that the divisions, departments, patients, pharmaceutical companies and especially functional forces like Police, Public Health, Customs, etc. actively and closely cooperated together.

Representatives discussed at the workshop

In order to effectively contribute to the fight against crimes relating to manufacturing and trading counterfeit medicine in the Vietnam market, the representatives proposed some solutions such as: quickly complete the legal system on administrative management on manufacturing and trading medicine; legal documents on preventing crimes of manufacturing and trading counterfeit goods, including counterfeit medicine; enhance to propaganda for patients and residents to promote their understandings and say “No” to counterfeit medicine, encourage them to coordinate with police to explore and tackle illegal activities; improve the effectiveness of the state agencies’ inspection to pharmaceutical companies so as to find out and deal with the illegal activities; expand international cooperation in preventing and suppressing crimes of manufacturing and trading counterfeit medicine.

In the end of the workshop, Senior Colonel, Dr. Tran Minh Chat, Vice President of the PPA confirmed scientific meanings of the workshop and presented the Certification to the representatives. Besides, on behalf of the Directorate of the PPA, he expressed his thank to French Embassy in Vietnam and the related units for their supports and coordination to hold successfully the workshop.

Translated by Cong Phuong