PHNOM PENH, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday destroyed 540.7 tons of counterfeit medicines and products that the kingdom had seized in recent months, officials said.
The ceremony was held at a dumpsite in the southwestern part of capital Phnom Penh under the presence of Justice Minister Koeut Rith.
Meach Sophana, chairman of the government's Counter Counterfeit Committee, said the destroyed items included 7.7 tons of illegal medicines and 533 tons of counterfeit cosmetic products and substandard foodstuffs.
"These fake products are not only very dangerous to people's health and lives, but also harm the economy and hurt fair competition," he said. "The event today is a message to the perpetrators that we will not tolerate any illegal activities that damage people's health and affects social safety."
Sophana said it was the ninth time that the committee had destroyed the counterfeit products.
Speaking at the event, Koeut Rith said combating counterfeit drugs and products is a priority for Cambodia as the spread of these fake products is alarming.
"The ceremony today shows the government's strong commitment to fight against the counterfeit medicines and products in order to protect people's health and lives as well as to minimize consequences caused by those fake goods," he said. Enditem
