The UK Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (Mhra) announced a record seizure of counterfeit drugs. In total, nearly 10 million drugs, valued at $ 31.4 million, were seized by Interpol. Among others, thousands of drug sales sites have been suspended or closed.
Operation PANAGEA VI mobilized the efforts of the police, gendarmerie, customs, regulatory and drug control authorities, as well as the support of all private internet players in 99 countries, during the campaign. ” a preparatory phase conducted on the Internet in May and June 2013.
During the week of June 18 to 25, 2013, actions were carried out in close coordination between the various departments involved. It is the largest operation of this type that has ever been carried out.
Quality not guaranteed
The authorities concerned have focused on Internet service providers, payment systems and messaging services used by websites marketing illicit and dangerous drugs, explains the Drug Safety Agency (ANSM).
In France, more than 812,300 drugs were seized by customs, including more than 668,700 at Roissy, initiating 29 legal proceedings.
“The products seized came mainly from India, Singapore and Thailand”, indicates the ANSM, before recalling that “by buying on the Internet, consumers run the risk of receiving drugs whose quality is not guaranteed. , whose origin and circuits are unknown and whose benefit / risk ratio has not been evaluated. Medicines offered on the Internet may contain active substances not mentioned on the labeling or in deficient amounts, be out of date or altered by unsuitable storage or transport conditions. “
