The MHRA has seized £15.8 million worth of counterfeit and unlicensed medicines in the UK as part of an international crackdown.

The medicines watchdog’s “record haul” included almost 6.2 million doses of illegally supplied and potentially harmful slimming, erectile dysfunction and narcolepsy tablets, as well as medical devices and fake condoms, it said yesterday (June 18).

The seizures formed part of Operation Pangea, the eighth annual month-long initiative to reduce the illegal trade of medical products. The operation - coordinated by Interpol - resulted in £51.6m worth of items seized and 156 arrests across 115 countries, the MHRA said.

As part of the UK operations - which ended on Tuesday (June 16) - the MHRA closed 1,380 websites, including 339 based in the country. It also targeted social media content by removing more than 320 YouTube videos posted by “criminals seeking to exploit new channels to profit from illegal medicines sales”, the watchdog said.

The MHRA's haul included medicines that claimed to treat breast cancer, fertility, muscle growth, eyelash hair growth and premature ejaculation, as well as dental equipment. The majority of the prodcuts seized in the UK originated from India, China, Hong Kong and Singapore, it added.

'A growing concern'

MHRA head of enforcement Alastair Jeffrey said the quantity of medicines seized was almost twice as much as last year. This was “clear evidence” that counterfeit and unlicensed medicines were a “growing concern that has to be taken seriously”.

“We are beginning to see more established criminal groups enter this space [as] the sentencing is low and the profits are high,” Mr Jeffrey told an MHRA media briefing yesterday. “To protect your health, visit your GP, get a correct diagnosis and buy medicines from a legitimate high-street or registered pharmacy.”

In response to a question about pharmacy’s role in the crackdown, Mr Jeffrey told C+D that the watchdog had a “good relationship” with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and the two organisations “worked closely” together. 

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