Op Nebraska Nets Estimated Seizure Of 120,000 Illicit Medicines In Aylesbury

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 12 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Enforcement officers from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), together with assistance from Thames Valley Police, seized approximately 100,000 diazepam (Valium) tablets (a Class C Drug) and 20,000 medicine tablets believed to be either unlicensed or counterfeit. These consisted of Kamagra tablets (an unlicensed medicine used for male impotence) and a quantity of Viagra and Levitra (used for erectile dysfunction) and Xenical to treat obesity. It is alleged that these medicines were being illegally sold over the Internet. The result came following an early morning visit, codenamed Op Nebraska, by MHRA enforcement officers and police to a residential address in Tyne Road, Aylesbury. A man was arrested in connection with the operation and has now been released on bail.

Mick Deats, Group Manager of Enforcement at the MHRA said, "This seizure demonstrates our continuing commitment to protect public health. The type of medicines we seized may not have been assessed for safety, quality and efficacy. At best these medicines could be a waste of money, at worst they could be severely detrimental to your health."

The investigation is continuing.

Notes

1. If an individual is convicted of offences under the Medicines Act 1968, they can be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Where appropriate the MHRA will use the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to determine whether or not benefits were accrued through criminal activity and will recoup illicit earnings if the individual is found guilty.

2. The MHRA is the government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. No product is risk-free. Underpinning all our work lie robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits to patients and the public justify the risks. We keep watch over medicines and devices, and take any necessary action to protect the public promptly if there is a problem. We encourage everyone - the public and healthcare professionals as well as the industry - to tell us about any problems with a medicine or medical device, so that we can investigate and take any necessary action.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency