Illegal Pharmaceutical Production Shut Down in Namangan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Authorities in Namangan have uncovered an illegal operation producing counterfeit medicines. A joint inspection conducted by the State Security Service, the Department for Combating Economic Crimes, and the Customs Committee revealed a workshop where nine types of counterfeit drugs were being manufactured under the guise of dietary supplements.

During the search, material evidence worth approximately 30 billion soums was seized, including 138,031 packages of medicines and supplements valued at over 1.2 billion soums, precursors worth 1.8 billion soums, bottles, caps, boxes, and labels totaling 3.4 billion soums, 14 pieces of production equipment valued at 18 billion soums, and 23 specialized containers of various capacities worth 5.6 billion soums.

It was revealed that the limited liability company was authorized only to produce dietary supplements. However, in premises that did not meet sanitary standards, counterfeit medicines were manufactured with altered names: “Pikovit” as “Pivovit,” “Canephron” as “Canaseron,” “Espumizan” as “Espumetic,” and “Nystatin” as “Nestitam.” The counterfeit products were distributed to the Ferghana Valley, Tashkent, and other regions of the country.

An expert analysis of the seized drugs has been ordered, and an investigation is ongoing. The production and sale of such medicines pose a threat to public health and entail legal liability under Uzbek law.