Workshop producing counterfeit medicines uncovered in Namangan (video)

A workshop manufacturing counterfeit pharmaceutical products has been discovered in Namangan region, the State Security Service reported.

According to the agency, a rapid operation was carried out in Namangan city as part of efforts to combat the illegal circulation of medicines.

Investigators inspected a facility allegedly set up by the head of an LLC that officially holds a certificate to produce dietary supplements. The facility, however, was operating in violation of required procedures and was used to manufacture medicines under false labels.

During the raid, officials seized 138,031 boxes of nine types of drugs and dietary supplements with an estimated value exceeding 1.2 billion soums; precursor chemicals worth 1.8 billion soums; vials, caps, boxes and labels valued at 3.4 billion soums; 14 types of production equipment worth 18 billion soums; and 23 large and small specialized vessels worth 5.6 billion soums. In total, material evidence with an estimated average value of around 30 billion soums was registered and secured.

Although the company was licensed only to produce dietary supplements, the inspection found that it had been producing nine types of counterfeit medicines in unsanitary conditions and relabeling them. Examples include products sold under names resembling established brands — for instance, “Pikovit” produced as “Pivovit,” “Kanefron” as “Kanaseron,” “Espumisan” as “Espumetik,” and “Nystatin” as “Nestitam.”

The inquiry revealed that the handmade counterfeit medicines had been distributed to the Fergana Valley, Tashkent city and other regions.

Forensic examinations of the seized counterfeit drugs have been ordered, and a criminal investigation is underway.

Earlier, authorities in Tashkent arrested four members of a large organized criminal group suspected of distributing potent narcotics through “drop” (stash) networks.