Huge Haul Of Fake Medicines Seized In Raids

A record £16m of counterfeit and unlicensed medicines have been seized in raids across the UK, to which Sky News has been given exclusive access.

The haul was part of a month-long international crackdown on the illegal internet trade of medical products that yielded £51.6m worth of items from 115 different countries.

'Operation Pangea' - coordinated through INTERPOL - led to 156 arrests worldwide.

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seized more than six million doses of illegally supplied medicines in a week of raids, along with slimming pills and fake condoms.

The operation also targeted websites that were offering falsified, counterfeit and unlicensed medicines and led to the closure or suspension of 1,380 sites.

"Criminals involved in the illegal supply of medical products through the internet aren't interested in your health - they are interested in your money and are able to get this by selling you a potentially dangerous product, or by stealing your bank details, " said Alastair Jeffrey, Head (Other OTC: HEDYY - news) of Enforcement at the MHRA.

"To protect your health, visit your GP, get a correct diagnosis and buy medicines from a legitimate high street or registered pharmacy which can trade online."

The MHRA's Bruce Petre told Sky News that dental medical equipment of the type seized by the body is sometimes used for surgery on patients by private health care professionals, because it is cheaper.

A large amount of the haul consisted of Viagra-type pills, which are commonly available over the internet because he said people self-diagnose rather than see a doctor.

The UK seizures reveal a growing trend towards lifestyle medications.

Some of the types of medicines seized include treatments for: epilepsy, asthma, acne, narcolepsy, breast cancer, cholesterol reduction, analgesics, hair loss, weight loss, painkillers, fertility, breast/prostate cancer, anxiety/insomnia, skin lightening, anti-depressants, and diabetes.

The majority of the products seized in UK originated from India, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Internationally, results show that almost 150,000 packages were inspected by regulators and customs officials, resulting in the seizure of counterfeit medicines worth approximately £51.6 million.

Sky News has spoken to one woman who suffered blisters in her mouth as a result of using an unregulated teeth-whitening kit.

Alex Lawther, from Border Force's postal command, said: "Our message to the public is simple – don't buy anything online unless you are certain it comes from a legitimate source."

If someone suspects their medicine may be counterfeit, contact the MHRA's designated 24-hour anti-counterfeiting hotline on 020 3080 6701 or counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk.