Crime Solicitors

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as said it has seized a record number of counterfeit drugs entering the UK as a result of criminal gangs.

BBC News reports that the authorities have seized near £16 million in counterfeit and unlicensed medicines, including potentially harmful or inactive slimming pills, erectile dysfunction treatments and cancer medications.
The MHRA has also closed around 1,400 websites as part of its counterfeit medicines investigation Operation Pangea – a global crack down on fake medicines across115 countries.

As a result of the investigation, seven suspects are also being investigated for having links to organised criminal gangs involved in distributing fake medicines.
Globally, a total of £51.6m of goods were seized as part of Operation Pangea.

In the UK, authorities have seized 6.2 million doses or medical devices, worth an estimated £15.8m.
Fake medications and health products seized in the UK include two million doses of erectile dysfunction drugs and some slimming products which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The authorities have also seized narcolepsy pills, abortion pills, diabetes medication, hair-loss drugs, cancer medicines – particularly for breast and prostate cancers, and medical devices – including fake condoms and items used in dental laboratories.

MHRA head of enforcement Alastair Jeffrey said that criminal gangs dealing in counterfeit drugs had no interest in consumers’ health – and just wanted their money.

Some drugs – such as breast cancer drugs – are not used to treat disease but may be used for other purposes: in the case of bodybuilders, for example, breast cancer drugs are used to reduce breast tissue.

The MHRA also reports that anti-narcolepsy pills – taken to prevent sleepiness in narcoleptics – are sometimes used by students to enable them to stay alert.

“Criminals involved in the illegal supply of medical products through the Internet aren't interested in your health, they are interested in your money – and are able to get this by selling you a potentially dangerous product or by stealing your bank details,” Mr Jeffrey warned.

"To protect your health, visit your GP, get a correct diagnosis – and buy medicines from a legitimate High Street or registered pharmacy which can trade online," he advised.

Most of the drugs seized were manufactured in India or China, both of which countries have major industries producing generic copies of licensed drugs.

The MHRA said that neither country was involved in Operation Pangea, however – although there was evidence of terrorist groups in the Middle East being linked to the counterfeit drugs industry.

The MHRA said that many recreational drugs dealers were operating in counterfeit medicines because jail sentences were “comparatively low” compared with jail terms for Class A and Class B drugs offences.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge for drugs offences, including counterfeit drugs offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station or Magistrates’ Court within an hour to advise on criminal charges.

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