In today’s age of globalization, foreign goods, including counterfeit products, have become common and widely available. Such fake goods, particularly unjustifiably low-quality and dangerous hygiene products, have permeated markets and economies in numerous countries, including Uganda.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that these counterfeit items can have disastrous effects on spouses, children, families, and society as a whole.
The rising tide of counterfeit products
Various reports indicate that over a third of hygiene control items needed during and after childbirth are concerning, while over 54% of items available on the Ugandan market are of dubious or counterfeit quality. Consequently, any prohibitions against counterfeit items are quickly undermined. This occurs because counterfeiters have created an unethical ecosystem.
For example, instead of compensating return customers to buy and sell their products, local representatives sell half the stock at ridiculously low prices, exploiting consumers. Dishonest dealers assure buyers that their products are hard to get. Customers are exposed to substandard quality because of their dependency on cheap goods.
Reputable brands and manufacturers struggle to survive in a chaotic black market. What is most surprising is that these unethical business practices are now perceived as standard business operations. The corrupt schemes have evolved into a skill set.
A case in example: the counterfeit version of Jik, rather than effectively killing germs, caused skin irritation and failed to clean surfaces thoroughly. The dangers of fraudulent goods have been highlighted by the users of fake Dettol soap.
Weak borders and poor regulatory control allow the illegal importation of counterfeit products into Uganda. Many are brought in from China and India through the black market.
Out of 160 border points, only 19 are reported to control the entry of fake products, allowing such goods to flood the market.
Health implications
The health concerns associated with counterfeit hygiene products are alarming. Most of these products do not meet safety standards and may contain toxic ingredients. There have been attempts to sell beauty products linked to cancer. The health of Ugandans is at risk due to the distribution of these items, which many people purchase without being aware of the potential harm they cause.
The Anti-Counterfeit Bill of 2024
Ugandan lawmakers have introduced a bill to address the issue of counterfeiting. Marking an important milestone in the protection of intellectual property and consumer welfare against harmful products, this legislation aims to tackle the problem of counterfeit goods.
The bill’s primary objective is to halt the exportation and international trade of counterfeit goods, thereby preventing consumers from being misled by fake products and protecting legitimate companies from unfair competition. It seeks to establish a controlled market for all Ugandan consumers by setting clear legal limits on acceptable products, ensuring safety for all in Uganda.
Ugandan authorities and regulators can use this new legal framework to build cases against offenders, rather than relying solely on insufficient evidence for punishment. If related to seal counterfeiting, revocation of trade cooperation is crucial.
A compensatory policy is included, recognizing that the loss of revenue necessitates global trade measures to restrict the importation of fraudulent products into Uganda. The implementing body is directed to collaborate with the police and customs departments to effectively combat counterfeiting. The authorities can only act based on instructions from the implementing body, which could delay efforts to stop violators.
There are several challenges related to evidence management, control of seized properties, treatment of evidence, and access management outlined in the bill. The principle of fair trial, which is essential in any judicial system concerning the destruction or return of non-counterfeit items, is safeguarded by this framework.
The bill appears comprehensive, but there are some weaknesses. For instance, there are no specified time limits for returning or destroying seized property once it has been established as counterfeit. Furthermore, uncertainty remains regarding procedures when an offender absconds or fails to appear in court concerning seized goods.
A multi-faceted approach for effective resolution
A multi-faceted approach to effectively resolving the problem is being facilitated by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). Ensuring the safety and performance of products is the responsibility of this agency.
UNBS is trying to protect consumers from substandard products by stopping the manufacture and supply of poor-quality sanitizers. Their preventive strategies include ongoing assessments and campaigns to raise public awareness about the dangers of using fake products. UNBS targets the public through information campaigns designed to shield them from counterfeit hygiene products.
The goal of the programs is to adequately educate consumers so they can make informed choices. The government hopes that by promoting this process, more people will use legitimate branded products and fewer will use fake ones.
The role of e-Health technologies
The issue of counterfeit hygiene products poses significant risks to public health and safety and is being addressed by e-Health technologies.
Consumers can use mobile applications and barcode scanning to check if a product is legitimate. This enables consumers to make informed decisions. The functioning of artificial intelligence-driven algorithms behind the scenes is noteworthy. They can quickly detect forgeries. Customers receive immediate feedback on the safety of a product while the fight against counterfeits can be improved by integrating these technologies.
A key part of the story is that it is possible to establish transparent supply chains for hygiene products. Each item has a unique identity and is tracked by the manufacturer.
The level of transparency guarantees that only authentic products reach the market. Companies that use traceability technologies in their factories can monitor their products throughout the distribution process. If counterfeit goods are detected at any point in the supply chain, an alert is triggered.
By analyzing trends associated with counterfeit incidents, e-Health technologies can help identify areas where counterfeiting is increasing. Stakeholders can take proactive measures to prevent it from escalating into a bigger problem.
The E-hygiene Shop at CHIL Femtech Center is making a difference in the fight against counterfeit hygiene products. The platform aims to improve the efficiency of hygiene stocking for schools and other health institutions in Africa. It uses promising technologies to make authentic hygiene products accessible to consumers.
The online shop has an artificial intelligence-based system that allows for easy purchasing of products. It was originally designed for partner health centers.
There is a need for self-respecting countries to ban counterfeit products. More nations will spiral deeper into poverty unless something is done.
