The ongoing National Illicit Trade Awareness Campaign aims to educate the public on how to identify counterfeit pharmaceuticals, cleaning products, alcohol, and tobacco.
On Thursday, the Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force (AITTF) of the Ministry of Trade and Industry hosted an Expo at the Brian Lara Promenade to share their role in preventing the sale of counterfeit items in this country.
Members of the public also had the opportunity to engage with representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Ministry of Health, the Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance, the Intellectual Property Office, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards, and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Manager of Technical Examination at the Intellectual Property Office of the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Richard Aching, said one of the basic ways to spot illicit items like pharmaceuticals is through its packaging, especially if there’s no English.
“There must be English. Even you’re taking a chance, if you’re not bilingual or whatever, don’t take the chance still. If it’s intended for this market there’s a requirement that if it’s a legit product, it must have English on it. In addition to other languages, that’s fine. But it must have, there must be English in there somewhere.”
He shared why something as simple as language should be taken into consideration when determining if something is counterfeit or illicit. Knowing what ingredients are used to produce drugs before consuming is also critical.
“Meaning that it was not intended for this market because we have rules for products that are to be sold in Trinidad and Tobago should be in English. If there’s absolutely no English in it, there’s no way for the English-speaking consumer to know what am I consuming and that kind of knowledge is critical. I mean, if you know you have allergies to certain things you need to be able to see the ingredient list.”
Mr. Aching urged the public not to focus on cost when purchasing such products.
“This whole exercise is about creating a more knowledgeable, aware consumer, that you’re vigilant so you’re taking your health and safety into your own hands and not just depending on what people tell you, but you just know you stay within the channels, stay in your lane as they say. Bat in your crease.”
Exhibitors included Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force Working Groups on Alcohol, Tobacco, Cleaning Agents, and Pharmaceuticals.