Counterfeit Products Including Face Masks On The Rise In Kenya Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

NAKURU,Kenya, Dec, 15 – The Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) has raised concerns over the increasing number of counterfeit products in the country particularly those related to the efforts of combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The products including counterfeit face mask are among those hampering government efforts in combating the spread of the virus.

Senior manager at the anti counterfeit agency Agnes Karingo said that a false narrative that imported goods are better than those locally made is partly to blame for the influx of the fake goods.

“Since COVID-19 was reported we have netted assorted counterfeits goods including medical face masks and hospitals back-up generators and this poses a major threat to end users,” said Caring.

Worrying statistics indicate that 1.3 per cent of counterfeit goods seized are pharmaceutical products.

As part of a move to combat this, the government will now require that all imported goods are to be registered at the country of origin.

“We are working with other agencies like the pharmacy and poison board to make sure that this fake medical equipment doesn’t reach the market,” she said.

In the last fortnight,medical face masks worth over Sh 20 million have been confiscated with several people being arrested and arraigned.

Meanwhile health stakeholders called for concerted efforts in the fight against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A section of stakeholders called for investment in research and development as well as the setting up of industries that will enable the country to for instance manufacture drugs locally.