MHRA cracks down on counterfeit and unlicensed drugs

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA) has seized fake and counterfeit medicine worth millions of pounds, as part of their crackdown on multi-million pound trade in fake and unlicensed medicines amid fears that the counterfeit and unlicensed drugs are causing potential health risks.
Investigators have been monitoring websites advertising Kamagra, an Indian version of Viagra, not licensed for sale in Britain.  Senior enforcement investigator Danny Lee-Frost says: “No-one involved in those websites is medically qualified. None of the products are licensed or tested. “

MHRA ceizes fake drugs

The operation is the largest internet-targeting enforcement action of its kind, with 80 countries participating in this year’s event, the MHRA said. Across the world, 55 people were arrested or placed under investigation. In conjunction with UKBA, the MHRA seized illegal medicine worth about £2 million, including 52,000 doses of counterfeit pills.

About 1.2 million suspect doses were discovered in or en route to the UK during a seven-day crackdown on rogue websites selling treatments for an array of conditions including erectile dysfunction, weight loss, hair loss, epilepsy and cancer. More than £5 million-worth of these unlicensed pharmaceuticals was found all over the world in the largest operation of its kind.

Nearly 13,000 websites selling fake drugs have been taken down by investigators from the MHRA. The Interpol-led operation, which concluded on Tuesday, came after two English schoolgirls were admitted to hospital with heart problems caused by weight loss pills bought online.

There has been a rise in the number of people purchasing drugs from these sites, as cash-strapped Britons try to save money. A growing number of people are diagnosing their own medical problems and buying medication online, which has led to a surge in trade in fake and illegitimate drugs that are being supplied without a prescription.

Bogus treatments for epilepsy, asthma, acne, narcolepsy, breast cancer, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, pain relief and human growth hormone drugs were found in raids at a number of locations including Brighton, Wembley, in north west London, and Ebbw Vale, near Cardiff.

Many of the drugs are made in China, Russia or India with the fake pharmacy websites being run by Chinese or Russian criminal organisations but the MHRA has discovered a pharmaceutical drugs factory in London.
The MHRA points to a recent survey of GPs suggesting a quarter had treated patients made ill by drugs bought online.

Its advice is not to buy anything off the internet without a prescription. Legal internet pharmacies should always ask for one, or have an online consultation service with a qualified GMC doctor.
Always make sure the pharmacy shows its registered logo and registered pharmacy number with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).