RIYADH: Saudi Interpol has issued a warning over what it says is a “marked global increase” in the theft and imitation of medicines and medical equipment. Saudi Interpol chief Muhammad Al-Zabn said in a statement Friday that Interpol sources described the concern as “not new, but getting worse across the world”. “It is becoming particularly noticeable in trade conducted across the Internet and is of extreme concern,” he said. According to Al-Zabn, 30 percent of medical products in Asian, African and Latin American markets were imitation goods. “International efforts are currently being conducted by many nations as well as Interpol and the World Health Organization to uncover the criminals behind it,” he said. “They have already led to increased numbers of arrests and seizures of fake goods, as well as closures of illegal Internet websites.” He advised the public to refrain from purchasing from abroad either through the Internet or while traveling and to use only reliable sources.
