Government Discovers Counterfeit Drug Operation in Uzbekistan
The Intellectual Property Department of the Ministry of Justice has recently made significant progress in uncovering counterfeit pharmaceutical products in Uzbekistan. The illegal medicines, including popular brands like “Lacto-G,” “Biseptol,” “Desiferol,” “Magne B6,” and “Smecta,” were discovered during inspections conducted by the Ministry.
In addition to exposing these counterfeit products, the Ministry also took steps to protect the intellectual property rights of well-known brands such as Xon Saroy, Click, and Uzum. The Ministry’s press service reported that illegal use of trademarks belonging to private companies was identified and addressed during the inspections.
One notable case involved a banquet hall being fined 37.5 million UZS for displaying the name “Xonsaroy,” which was found to be confusingly similar to the trademark of the construction company Xon Saroy. This enforcement action sends a clear message that unauthorized use of another company’s trademark will not be tolerated.
Furthermore, the Ministry discovered illegal manufacturing of counterfeit versions of several medicines, prompting the imposition of administrative penalties on the offenders. One complaint filed by the Georgian company GM Pharma regarding the drug “Lacto-G” led to the discovery of phonetic similarities that could potentially mislead consumers.
The Ministry reiterated the consequences of unauthorized trademark use, highlighting that legal entities could face fines ranging from 100 to 200 BCU (equivalent to 37.5 to 75 million UZS). Last year, the Ministry successfully prevented the distribution of counterfeit medicines like “Biseptol” and “Imudon,” resulting in the destruction of counterfeit products and penalties for violators.
Additionally, the Ministry issued a warning to the Ministry of Health regarding counterfeit medicines and violations during the state registration process. This ongoing effort to combat intellectual property violations and protect public health underscores the Ministry’s dedication to upholding legal standards in the pharmaceutical industry.
