Russia targets counterfeit drug distributors

The sale of counterfeit drugs is the target of new legislation proposed by the Russian government, according to news agency Tass.

Senator Anton Belyakov is behind an initiative that seeks to strengthen penalties for those manufacturing, storing, transporting and selling counterfeit drugs and medical devices.

Belyakov has proposed an amendment to section 238 of the Criminal Code, which would allow for jail sentences of between seven and ten years and a fine between 500,000 roubles ($11,000) and one million roubles ($22,000) for anyone responsible for the death of somebody from the consumption of a counterfeit drug.

He was critical of current measures that only prosecute distributors for health and safety violations.

He said: “This means that a counterfeit medicine destined to maintain health, but in fact being immediately dangerous to life, is equated to any other product produced with violation of technological process.

“Counterfeit producers can get away with a fine of 100 thousand roubles ($2,000),” he added.