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The proposed amendment to the Drug Act of BE 2510 is seeking to fine fakedrug manufacturers up to Bt5 million, and sellers and importers up to Bt2 million.

"Convicted offenders are also liable to a jail term," FDA deputy secretarygeneral Weerawan Taengkaew said yesterday.

According to the Drug Act of BE 2510, fakedrug manufacturers are liable to up to life imprisonment and a maximum fine of Bt50,000, while sellers and importers are liable to a jail term of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of Bt10,000.

"Jail terms will remain unchanged but we are seeking to impose heftier fines," Weerawan said at the national pharmaceutical conference.

Held by the Pharmaceutical Association of Thailand and 12 professional bodies, the conference attracted more than 500 pharmacists across the country.

Weerawan expected the new punishment levels to take effect next year.

Deputy Public Health Minister Morakot Kornkasem said it was estimated that Bt800 million worth of fake drugs were sold in the country each year.

"Most of the fake drugs are labelled as treating malaria, Aids, tuberculosis, bird flu, antiobesity and erectile dysfunction," he said.

Morakot said the fake drugs not only wasted peoples' money but harmed their health. However, he said the fake drugs accounted for less than 1 per cent of the country's drug market.

Thais consumed almost Bt80 billion worth of drugs each year, and about Bt40 billion worth were imported, he continued.

Weerawan urged people to call the Hotline 1556 if they had information about fake drugs.

"Please buy medicines from quality pharmacies, carefully check the label and read the instructions on it," she said, adding the Pharmaceutical Association of Thailand had already certified 211 pharmacies across the country.