E-DRUG: Dutch Government confirms 17 seizures in 2008 by customs
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[This is a follow-up on the Indian generics that were intercepted at Amsterdam airport while being in transit from India to Nigeria. This �Freedom of Information� information is not easy to interpret. Spain and Portugal are members of EU, and those cases probably do not refer to �in-transit� as they want to enter the EU. Lifestyle medicines seem not essential drugs? (were those sildenafil?). Apart from ARVs, also cardio-vascular, dementia and schizophrenia drugs were seized. WB]
FOI request Dutch Government: 17 seizures in Netherlands confirmed.
The Freedom of Information Act request (WOB verzoek) filed by Health Action International Europe to the Dutch government in April 3rd has led to the following:
After two notifications of delay in the FOI procedure, HAI finally received a response on the 7th of May. Most of the WOB for information on requests by right holders to customs and notifications of customs to right holders, plus further communications between both these interested parties has been rejected on the basis of commercial confidentiality/confidentiality obligations and 'competition sensitivity'.
The customs authority did give the following information:
There have been 17 seizures by the Dutch authorities in the year 2008 on the basis of EU regulation 1383/2008. Of these 16 came from Indian and one from China and were destined as follows:
Peru (x5)
Colombia (x4)
Ecuador (x2)
Mexico (x2)
Portugal (x1)
Spain (x1)
Brazil (x1)
Nigeria (x1)
Type of medicine:
cardiological medicines (together 100.000 pills and 1850 kg)(x8)
lifestyle medicines (together 400kg)(x5)
aidsstoppers (together 30.000 pills and 24 kg) (x2)
medicines for dementia (94.000 pills) (x1)
medicines against schizophrenia (500.000 pills) (x1)
Action:
6 assumed permission (permission to destroy, means generic manufacturer did not react to letter by right holder)
4 No action
2 Declaration of distance / waiver
1 sequestration
1 amicable settlement
1 still on
1 summons by proprietor
1 no reaction by proprietor
The amount of ongoing requests by rights holders for vigilance by customs is 48. Per request one or more (sometime dozens) of medicines can be listed.
Unfortunately the 3 page response is in Dutch only; it will be posted on our website shortly.
regards
Sophie Bloemen
European Project Officer
Health Action International (HAI) Europe
Overtoom 60-62
1054 HK Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 683 3684
Mob: +31643237874
Fax: +31 20685 5002
Email:sophie@haiweb.org
Web site: http://www.haiweb.org/>
Health Action International (HAI) is an independent, global network working to increase access to essential medicines and improve their rational use.