YANGON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized 2.8 billion kyats (2.2 million U.S. dollars) worth of fake and expired drugs as well as materials used in producing the fake drugs in Yangon, official media reported Wednesday.
A total of 14 people were charged for the alleged involvement in the distribution of imitation drugs following police raid at 11 chemists and 22 warehouses during the first half of this month.
The authorities also confiscated counterfeit medicines when raiding two major markets, Bogyoke Market and Shwe Pyae Sone market.
The seized fake and expired drugs will be destroyed in the presence of the public.
The authorities vowed to eradicate the circulation of such medicines in the country.
According to Myanmar Pharmaceutical and Medical Equipment Entrepreneurs Association, the country imported about 85 percent of western medicines from its neighbors and other countries annually.
Over 50 percent of imports come from India that remains a main medicine exporter to Myanmar, followed by Thailand and China.
About 98 percent of medical equipment is also imported from the United States, European countries and Japan.
