Counterfeit 'Dettol' plasters seized
A large stock of Counterfeit Dettol plasters were seized from a shop
in Pettah by a team of Officers of the Criminal Investigations
Department. This action was initiated on a complaint made by Reckitt &
Colman (Overseas) Limited together with Reckitt Benckiser (Lanka)
Limited the sole agents for Dettol Plasters in Sri Lanka. The
representative of the company confirmed that the seized counterfeit
Dettol plasters were of inferior quality and had no medicinal value.
The shop owner was arrested and released on bail. When the matter was
called on 25.09.09 at the Magistrate's Court in Colombo, Court permitted
the CID to keep the seized goods in their custody. The matter is
currently fixed for 27.11.09 and the CID is conducting further
investigations.
The raids were conducted successfully under the supervision of
Director CID Ravi Waidyalankara. According to Waidyalankara "we need to
eradicate this menace completely and the counterfeiters must be brought
to book. The current IP Act is a stepping stone in achieving our goal,
what is required is an enforcement mechanism, as well as interaction of
all the stakeholders and the private sector participation. We intend to
give priority to pharmaceuticals. If these products are counterfeited,
the repercussions would be far greater. Thus, we are currently in the
process of establishing an IP Enforcement unit. If the Brand owners are
not protected, investors would be reluctant to invest in this country.
Therefore, it is our duty to create an investor-friendly environment in
this country.
"We are very thankful to the law enforcement authorities for their
continued support to help wipe out this health hazard. Our client has
improved the packaging of plaster with new graphics and a hologram to
help consumers to identify the original Dettol Plaster", Legal Counsel
for Reckitt Benkiser (Lanka) Limited, Sudath Perera of Sudath Perera
Associates said.
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