Man Sentenced For Sale And Supply Of Controlled And Counterfeit Drugs

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 05 Nov 2009 - 3:00 PST

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A 41-year-old man, Mr Harish Gami, received an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years at Aylesbury Crown Court today for the illicit sale and supply of controlled drugs as well as counterfeit and unlicensed medicines.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) discovered more than 86,000 Valium tablets and a further 11,500 medicinal products in an undercover investigation into Gami's illegal online dealing.

The controlled drugs seized were Valium, Diazepam, Alpazolam, Clonazepam, Temazepam, Lorazepam and Zolpidem.

There was also counterfeit Viagra, Levitra and Cialis uncovered as part of the operation as well as the unlicensed erectile dysfunction drug Kamagra.

The fake drugs were stored in bin liners and shopping bags inside a wall unit under the stairs at the man's house in Aylesbury. They are believed to have been sent from Pakistan via a courier company.

MHRA Head of Enforcement, Mick Deats, said that successful prosecutions such as this send a clear signal to those contemplating the sale and supply of counterfeit medicines.

"Mr Gami was in possession of almost 100,000 doses of counterfeit and illegal medicines which would have been distributed through illegal websites.

"The MHRA strongly advises people against buying medicines online from unregulated websites where the risk of being provided with a dangerous product is greatly increased."

Notes

1. Viagra, Levitra, Cialis and Kamagra are erectile dysfunction drugs; Reductil is a slimming drug; Temazepam and Zolpidem are sedative drugs; Alprazolam, Lorazepam and Diazepam are anti-anxiety drugs and Clonazepam is an anti-epileptic drug.

2. Valium, Diazepam, Alpazolam, Clonazepam, Temazepam, Lorazepam and Zolpidem are controlled drugs under schedule 4 part 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

3. Mr Harish Gami (DOB 26 October 1968) lives at 65 Tyne Road, Aylesbury, HP21 9JS.

4. Mr Harish Gami's sentence is an eight month prison sentence suspended for two years, a curfew order and he is to be electronically tagged for four months.

Source
MHRA