London Man Fined For Illegal Internet Sale Of Medicines, UK

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail
Article Date: 30 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Mr Hafid Essadki (39) formerly of 341 Boardwalk Place, Trafalgar Way, London, E14 5SQ was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 costs at Snaresbrook Crown Court for the illegal online sale and supply of Viagra and Cialis. The sentencing followed a prosecution by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The MHRA started investigating Mr Essadki in January 2006 after receiving information from Pfizer that customers had complained about two websites advertising Viagra and Cialis for sale on www.pfizer-viagra.co.uk and www.viagra-cialis-express.co.uk. On March 2006 MHRA enforcement officers, accompanied by representatives from Pfizer and Eli Lilly together with the Metropolitan Police, went to Mr Essadki's home address and found a quantity of Viagra and Cialis tablets. These were seized along with computers, mobile phones and a laptop.

Mick Deats, Group Manager of Enforcement at the MHRA said, "The MHRA will not hesitate to take action against those who undermine public health. There is considerable risk to the public from obtaining medicines through unregulated websites. A medicine bought in this way has no guarantee of safety, quality or effectiveness. It could be counterfeit. It may not contain the right amount of medicine. At worst it may cause a severe side effect."

Notes

1. Mr Essadki pleaded guilty on 02 July 2008 to seven counts under section 52 of the Medicines Act 1968.

2. 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.

3. 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

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