Counterfeiters exploiting COVID-19 outbreak: MHRA
Counterfeit face masks and unauthorised antiviral medication have been seized under Interpol’s annual Operation Pangea, as criminals seek to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic by exploiting demand.
Late last week, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that it had taken part in the globally coordinated operation aimed at tackling the illegal online sale of medicines and medical devices.
This year’s operation—which involved police, customs and health regulatory authorities from 90 countries—identified a “disturbing trend” of criminals who are exploiting the high market demand for personal protection and hygiene products amid the pandemic.
Globally, 2,000 online advertisements related to COVID-19 were found and more than 34,000 unlicensed and fake products, advertised as “corona spray”, “coronavirus medicines” or, “coronaviruses packages” were seized.
At the time, there were no coronavirus related products found to have reached UK borders on this occasion.
But this seems to have changed. Yesterday, March 23, sister site WIPR reported that a UK man had been charged with making counterfeit coronavirus treatment kits and sending them to customers across the world.
MHRA enforcement
As part of Operation Pangea, the MHRA enforcement team and colleagues from UK Border Force found 871,616 doses of unlicensed medicines with a value of £2.6 million ($3 million). They also took down 294 websites and removed 1,031 social media adverts online offering medicines illegally.
Working alongside police officers, the MHRA team executed seven warrants leading to two arrests as part of investigations linked to the illegal online sale of medicines.
Antidepressants, erectile dysfunction tablets, painkillers and anabolic steroids were all seized by officers. The majority of seizures made during the operation were unlicensed copies of erectile dysfunction medication totalling 611,888 doses.
Other significant seizures included medicines to treat insomnia (88,160 doses) and pain relief medication (26,005).
Mark Jackson, head of enforcement at the MHRA, said: “Our intelligence-led operations across the UK have seized millions of fake and unlicensed medicines. The MHRA is committed to working with our international partners and UK Border Force to prevent fake medicines from entering the UK and to identify illicit websites offering to sell and supply medicines and medical devices illegally.”
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.
