As the economic costs and potential health risks associated with the proliferation of counterfeit consumer items become increasingly apparent, Director of the Food and Drugs Department Marlan Cole has told Stabroek Business that his department is stepping up initiatives within the scope of its limitations to protect the health of the population and the viability of businesses against “an illegal multi-billion dollar industry.”
According to Cole, the work of his department is receiving the “total support” of the Ministry of Health and the government as a whole and the business community is demonstrating a greater willingness to engage his department and provide information that could help tackle the problem more effectively.
But the Food and Drugs Department Head made it clear that the country was battling with a problem that it still lacked the capacity to overcome. Cole said there is also the danger that the country as a whole may be exposed to “the potential health risks” associated with the proliferation of counterfeit drugs and food items on the
