MHRA cracks down on fake medicines with £2 million haul

A haul of fake medicines worth over £2 million was seized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in a crackdown on counterfeit and unlicensed drugs.

The seizures were conducted via Interpol’s Operation Pangea initiative involving 116 countries, which was launched in 2006 by the MHRA to target illegal trade in medicines.

From 9-17 October, the MHRA seized falsified and unlicensed medicines and medical devices including diazepam, epilepsy treatments, anti-depressants, medication for diabetes and more.

MHRA enforcement officers co-ordinated raids with Interpol against properties, airports and mail delivery centres resulting in the £2 million haul. Packages containing illegal medicines and medical devices were found hidden among other innocent items such as video games and clothing. Worldwide, Operation Pangea yielded hauls of medical products worth over £10.9 million.

The MHRA also targeted websites on the open and dark web, leading to 123 websites being shut down and the removal of 535 online adverts.

MHRA head of enforcement Alastair Jeffrey, said: “Criminals who sell medicines over the internet have absolutely no regard for your health and taking medicine which is ether falsified or unlicensed puts you at risk of serious harm.

“Our intelligence-led enforcement operations have seized millions of counterfeit and unlicensed medicines and devices in the UK. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and we will continue to take action against known criminals – working with our international partners to stop illegal medicines from entering the UK.”

The MHRA has issued guidelines to people buying online medicines, warning that criminals can exploit vulnerable people by supplying medicines through unregulated websites and stealing credit card details.

To protect your health, get a correct diagnosis and buy medicines from a registered pharmacy or legitimate high street, the MHRA said. Lastly, the MHRA warned people not to self-diagnose conditions and that self-medication can be very dangerous.