Counterfeit drugs seized during International Week of Action - McGimpsey

The Health Minister has given details of the counterfeit and illicit medicines seized in Northern Ireland as part of recent activities including the International Internet Week of Action.

Operation Pangea II involving 24 countries, was co-ordinated by INTERPOL and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) to highlight the dangers of buying medicines online. National medicines regulators, police and customs worked closely together on the global operation from 16-20 November.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: Our primary goal in participating in this operation is to protect the public by removing counterfeit and illicit medicines from the market. We have recovered a range of different medicines that were being supplied illegally as part of my Department’s ongoing strategy to combat counterfeit medicines through a sustained programme of communication, collaboration and regulation.  

The types of medicines seized in Northern Ireland over the last year include steroids, Benzylpiperazine (BZP), human growth hormones and medication for erectile dysfunction.

It is vital that we get the message across that all counterfeit medicines are dangerous.  When you purchase medicines from an illegal supplier online, you simply don’t know what you are taking.  The products may be stored in filthy conditions, the dosages can be too high or too low or may contain totally different ingredients to those stated.  The products are usually designed to deceive the public that they are genuine.

I would urge the public to be vigilant and ensure that they do not put their health at risk or fund this crime by purchasing medication from an illicit source.  If in doubt, consult your GP or pharmacist.”

The Department has conducted some 20 investigations during the past 18 months into illegal importation and supply of unlicensed and counterfeit medicines.  Operations have resulted in separate seizures of a range of products including seizures of 130,000 Benzylpiperazine tablets and 10,000 erectile dysfunction tablets.  A number of successful prosecutions have been secured, including those for illegal supply of BZP and for illegal supply of traditional Chinese medicines adulterated with a prescription only medicine.

Operation Pangea II focused on the three principle components of an illegal website, the Internet Service Provider (ISP), payment systems and the delivery service.

Notes to Editors:

1.The Medicines Inspection and Investigation Group at the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety works closely with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in their response to counterfeit medicines available through the regulated and unregulated supply chain.

2.The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that up to 1% of medicines available in the developed world are likely to be counterfeit.

3.Counterfeit medicine is more commonly available to consumers via on line pharmacies.  The World Health Organisation estimates 50% of medicines available from sites which conceal their physical address are counterfeit.

4.Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.