CLDP, in partnership with the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia “Sakpatenti”, implemented a workshop in Batumi, Georgia from June 6-8, 2012 on Identification and Interdiction of Counterfeit Medicines, with participation from enforcement agencies, government regulators, and the private sector. The goal of the workshop was to highlight the important consumer safety concerns of counterfeit medicines and to establish a dialogue between the Government of Georgia and the private sector on how to identify and combat the sale of counterfeit medicines. The program aimed to promote increased coordination between industry representatives, consumers, NGOs, government regulators and law enforcement agencies.

Advisors from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office led the workshop, attended by about 45 participants. Representatives from the private sector included Eli Lilly, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis, and the Association of Pharmaceutical Companies Representatives in Georgia (APCRG).

The workshop provided a platform to discuss obstacles to effective identification and interdiction of counterfeit medicines, such as a lack of market surveys and reliable data on the existence and use of counterfeit medicines or Georgia's use of online pharmacies and the widespread use of parallel imports which hinders inspection, regulation and enforcement of counterfeit goods. Through presentations, case studies and discussions, the workshop improved the understanding of Georgia's officials, specifically its law enforcement and regulatory agencies, of the most effective methods and techniques to combat the trade in and transshipment of counterfeit medicines. This knowledge provides a basis to increase the efficiency of IPR enforcement and improve interagency coordination of IPR in Georgia.