2nd conf on combating fake medicines, medical appliances winds up

KUWAIT, Dec 17 (KUNA) -- An international conference held has recommended setting deterrent penalties for perpetrators of fake medicine crimes, as well as smugglers.
The 2nd International Conference on Combating Manufacturing of Fake Medicines and Medical Appliances that wrapped up two-day discussions on Wednesday also called for tightening control on express mail firms to guarantee that no such products are being smuggled.
The conference, attended by more than 300 specialists, both from Kuwait and overseas, issued the " Kuwait Document" to be submitted to the Arab League's Secretary General to implement recommendations, head of the League's Federation for Combating Counterfeiting and Forgery Sheikha Nawal Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah told KUNA.
The document recommends a review of the Arab relevant legislations to tighten control over fake medications, in addition to upgrading Arab labs providing them with modern technology to discover sham products, Sheikha Nawal Al-Hamoud added.
She also referred to the need to establish an Arab database on fake and smuggled medicines, developing an alert system for a smooth and rapid exchange of relevant information among the Arab countries. Similar database centers need to be set in hospitals and other health facilities.
Meanwhile, Sheikha Nawal Al-Hamoud urged the Arab League Secretariat to push the Ministries of Culture, Information and Education and other concerned bodies in the member states to promote programs on medication culture and safe use of medicines. (end) shd.msa