Bogus Ayurvedic Practitioner Sentenced For Illegal Sale And Supply Of Unlicensed Steroid Creams, UK

Main Category: Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Also Included In: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs;  Dermatology
Article Date: 28 Jan 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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A Manchester man was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court for illegally importing unlicensed steroid creams from India and supplying them to people, including children, across Greater Manchester. He was also sentenced for deception. The sentence follows a joint prosecution by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Mr Gurmukh Singh (49) of St John's Road, Old Trafford, received six months imprisonment (suspended for 12 months); 60 hours community service; and a restriction of movement order between the hours of 11.00pm and 6.00am for two months. Mr Singh pleaded guilty on 10 September 2007 to nine counts under the Medicines Act 1968 for the illegal sale and supply of unlicensed medicines and for illegally importing them from India. He also pleaded guilty to four counts of deception relating to monies totalling approximately £2,000.

The case began in August 2005, following initial concerns raised by Oldham Primary Care Trust. Mr Singh claimed to be a doctor practising in Ayurvedic medicine, charging members of the public for his consultation, and in some cases giving them unlicensed steroid creams to treat eczema, despite being unqualified to do so. One man who paid Mr Singh £800, saw his eczema get worse. In parts, his skin went black and peeled off. Mr Singh was arrested in May 2006 at his home, where some of the unlicensed steroid creams were found. Tests later showed that the creams were found to contain antihistamines and prescription-only steroids.

Mick Deats, Head of Enforcement & Intelligence at the MHRA said, "Today's successful conclusion highlights the robust action the MHRA takes against anyone who commits offences under medicines legislation. As the UK regulator of medicines, we strive to ensure that only the competent and honest are licensed to deal in medicines, and take swift action against anyone who acts otherwise.

"Mr Singh endangered the health of the people he sought to treat by giving them unlicensed medicines, all for his own profit and gain. These medicines have absolutely no guarantee of safety and quality and no evidence to show that they alleviate the conditions they claimed to treat."

Notes

1. 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. http://www.mhra.gov.uk

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.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

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