The Burmese Ministry of Health has released a statement that fake Ampicillins - antibiotic medicines, have been found at a medicine market in Burma after Interpol launched an operation against fake medicines in Southeast Asia.

The statement was released yesterday on junta run Kyaymon (the Mirror) newspaper. It didn't mention the name of the company which has manufactured the product.

"According to the statement, KAV Ampicillin BP 250 mg capsules are sold in the market. It doesn't have the company name but only mentions 'Media in R.P.C. The KAV Ampicillin BP 250 mg capsules' are not registered with the pharmaceutical department in Burma. The medicine box (pack) is not good enough."

Interpol and WHO (World Health Organization) launched an operation, called 'Storm Operation', in Southeast Asia for five months. During the operation, many fake medicines were seized.

The operation took place in Cambodia, China, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Burma. During the operation, about 200 raids were made and fake medicines worth US$ 6.6 million were confiscated. About 27 brokers were arrested.

Interpol said that antibiotic, HIV, malaria, TB medicines were among the seizure. Interpol targeted fake medicines producers including individuals and groups. This operation will help check crimes, which cause danger to public health, everywhere in the world.

According to the chemical experiment report, there is no medicinal substance found in the fake Ampicillin, said the statement.

By having fake medicines, patients not only lose money but also suffer from its effects.

The Ministry of health has already announced that it has banned the sale of fake medicines, unregistered medicines and non-standard medicines in Burma. If fake medicines are sold, the individual or groups will be charged under the national medicine laws.