Undercover probe on to discover couterfeit sanitisers in Kingdom
TECHNICAL officials at the Ministry of Commerce have embarked on undercover investigations to ascertain if markets and phar macies across the Kingdom were selling counterfeit sanitiser gels and liquids as the Kingdom is e x p e r i e n c i n g c o mmunity transmission of Covid-19.
General Department of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Prevention director-general Phan Oun told The Post on November 8 that the investigations are being carried out quietly.
He said even as the government was fighting Covid-19, his officials also adhered to social distancing measures while carrying out their duties.
The probe is being conducted with officials disguising themselves as customers to buy alcohol sanitisers, which were then tested for quality. If they turn out to be methanol or fake, the officials will immediately act against the sellers.
He said the probe is being carried out quietly so as not to panic the public. “Last week, our technical officials bought 19 types of alcohol sanitisers and gels in Phnom Penh for testing.
“We haven’t fou nd a ny counter feit products as yet. But we a re cont i nui ng our ef forts to ensure t hey are not sold a nd u lt i mately a f fec t public healt h,” Oun said.
Since local transmission of Covid-19 began with the “November 28 event” Oun said investigations have not uncovered any underweight alcohol sanitisers in the market either.
“We are ready, and if we find any underweight product, we will certainly take action,” he said.
A repor t by t he Genera l Department said before the November 28 event, officials had checked pharmacies across the Kingdom and seized and destroyed 94 tonnes of underweight alcohol sanitisers. Some cases were forwarded to the courts.
It also warned all pharmacies not to sell underweight or poor quality products, and appealed to the public not to buy alcohol sanitisers which have no logos or clear indication of their origin as they could cause health problems.