MHRA conducts operation into counterfeit medicines

The UK government’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has conducted an operation into counterfeit and unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicines across London.

The MHRA carried out the operation on May 4.

It had entry warrants for 24 properties and the raids were conducted by 50 MHRA and National Crime Agency officers across London.

Danny Lee-Frost, MHRA head of operations, said: “Medicines are not ordinary consumer products—they have the potential to cure disease and prevent illness. For that reason, and particularly in the case of prescription only medicines, they are potent substances. This means that they also have the potential to cause harm and consequently their sale and supply is tightly controlled.

“Buying medicines from internet websites can pose significant health risks—prescription only medicines should be prescribed under the supervision of a doctor. And if a site is offering to supply you with a prescription only medicine without a prescription, this is not in your best interests and is a breach of legal requirements. Criminals place profits above your health.

“MHRA will continue to work with UK law enforcement agencies to crack down on those who put the public health at risk,” he added.