Dh1m fine for selling fake medical equipment in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The court also ordered for confiscation of the counterfeit products and spoilt medicines.

A company supplying medical equipment in the Capital has been fined Dh1 million for promoting and selling counterfeit products.
The Abu Dhabi Misdemeanors Court on Monday handed down the sentence to the medical equipment company after it was found guilty of possessing, promoting and selling counterfeit medical equipment.
The court also ordered for confiscation of the counterfeit products and spoilt medicines seized from the company and closure of the warehouse where the bogus medical equipment were found for six months.
The company was being represented in court by their three owners, who were also accused in the case and are responsible for paying the fines. Their company was selling fake equipment that bore a trademark of a big brand, which violates the country's law.
Court documents stated that the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution received a complaint against the medical equipment company that was promoting and selling fake products, including thermometers, to agents and other customers.
Prosecutors had summoned the owners of the company and also sent a team of medical officers to inspect the company's warehouse and the medical products there.
The medical experts examined the equipment in the warehouse and found out that the thermometers were counterfeit.
Officials also found large amount of damaged equipment and spoilt medicines in the store because of poor storage. According to authorities, the medicines were unfit for use and posed threat to people's health.
All the counterfeit products and spoilt drugs found in the warehouse were seized.
Under the UAE's new anti-fraud law, anyone caught selling counterfeit goods or engaging in commercial fraud faces jail time of up to two years and or a fine of up to Dh1 million.
The new law issued last year sets the maximum penalties for pharmaceutical and food products, but even those who deal in counterfeit goods outside of these categories may be fined up to Dh250,000.
The law also gives power to judicial authorities to close stores that sell counterfeit goods, and repeat offenders may have their trade licences cancelled.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com  

• Abu Dhabi