Ankara: A workshop on intellectual property crimes and public health began Wednesday in the Turkish capital, bringing together representatives of public institutions, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. The "Intellectual Property Crimes and Public Health Workshop" is organized by the General Directorate of Security's Department of Public Security, Intellectual Property Crimes Central Branch Directorate in cooperation with Anadolu.
According to Anadolu Agency, the event hosts diplomatic representatives serving in Trkiye from nearly 40 countries, police personnel, experts from relevant ministries, professional associations, e-commerce platforms, and national and international brand representatives, as well as representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Trademark Association (INTA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
General Director of Security Ali Fidan, speaking at the opening of the workshop, highlighted the critical importance of intellectual property as the legal protection of human intellect, labor, and innovative thinking. Fidan emphasized the dire consequences of counterfeit medicines, which, when produced under unhygienic conditions or containing harmful chemicals, can lead to fatal outcomes. He pointed out that this issue poses a significant public security threat, undermining trust in the state's inspection capabilities.
Fidan further explained that counterfeit and smuggled products, resulting from intellectual property rights violations, present serious risks to public health, fuel the informal economy, cause tax losses, and provide financial resources to criminal networks and terrorism financing. He stressed the necessity of strong legal safeguards for production and intellectual property to protect innovation and establish a globally competitive economy.
The workshop aligns with the "Century of Trkiye" vision, aiming for a self-reliant Trkiye with a global voice, as articulated by Fidan. He reiterated the commitment to combating criminal elements targeting intellectual labor, production capacity, economic security, and public health through effective coordination with state institutions, international cooperation, and the police's superior operational capabilities.
Gokhan Demirtola, head of the General Directorate of Security's Department of Foreign Relations, noted that intellectual property crimes have become a major funding source for organized criminal groups and pose a direct threat to public health. He mentioned the collaboration between the General Directorate of Security, international organizations, judicial authorities, and health institutions in fighting counterfeit food, agricultural products, and medicines.
Eray Kaplan, vice president of the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, highlighted the importance of combating counterfeit medicines to protect public health and safety and maintain confidence in the healthcare system. He discussed Trkiye's pioneering pharmaceutical track-and-trace system, which ensures counterfeit or unlicensed medicines cannot enter the legal supply chain, though he cautioned about the increasing threats from online sales.
An exhibition organized as part of the workshop showcases genuine and counterfeit products from various brands to raise awareness among participants.