A 34-year-old man, Steven Corbersmith of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, was today sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, for illegally supplying Class C controlled drugs and possessing Class C controlled drugs with intent to supply.

He was also given a six-month supervision order and an unpaid work (community order) of 100 hours.

Corbersmith was found to be dealing in Prescription Only Medicines such as the breast cancer drug tamoxifen, as well as unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicine and Class C controlled drugs, specifically anabolic steroids.

The MHRA was alerted to a website believed to be selling the medicines illegally and test purchases were made. Intelligence also revealed that Corbersmith owned a gym in Walton-on-the-Naze and had a related website called www.slchealth-fitness.com.

Checks confirmed the man held no licenses with the MHRA and was therefore unable to sell or supply medicines in the UK.

MHRA investigators, assisted by officers from Essex police, visited the business premises where the illicit stash was found stored in a locked cupboard underneath the gym.

MHRA Head of Operations Danny Lee-Frost said, "When you buy a medicine from an unregistered website you will never know the condition that product has been made in, shipped in or stored in.

"On top of that, you might be receiving a product that reacts adversely with any other medication you might be on.

"Mr Corbersmith was illegally supplying Prescription Only Medicines which should only be given under the direction of a GP and in accordance with a prescription.

"This type of dangerous business dealing poses a great risk to public health as you simply don't know what you are taking."

Notes

1. Steven Corbersmith of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, pleaded guilty at City of Westminster Magistrates Court to these offences on 30 June 2010.

i. Medicines regulatory offences

1. possessing a Prescription Only Medicine (tamoxifen) with intent to supply by retail, contrary to sections 67(3A) and 58(2)(a) of the Medicines Act 1968
2. selling or supplying a Prescription Only Medicine in circumstances corresponding to retail sale (tamoxifen, a medicine indicated for the treatment of breast cancer, which is abused by steroid abusers who hope to counteract the side effects of steroid abuse), contrary to sections 58(2)(a) and 67(2) of the Medicines Act 1968
3. possessing a relevant medicinal product (Kamagra, an unlicensed erectile dysfunction medicine containing Sildenafil) knowing or believing that it may be placed on the market, contrary to Paragraph 1 & 2 of Schedule 3 and Regulation 7(4) of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994

ii. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 offences

1. possessing controlled drugs of Class C (anabolic steroids) with intent to supply to another, contrary to sections 4(1) and 5(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
2. attempted supply of lass C drugs (anabolic steroids), contrary to sections 4(1)(b) and 4(3)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
3. supply of Class C drugs (anabolic steroids), contrary to sections 4(1)(b) and 4(3)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

2. The public is advised that they should only take Prescription Only Medicines after an appropriate consultation with their GP. Only healthcare professionals can take into account risks and benefits associated with every medicine.

3. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has introduced an internet pharmacy logo to help the public identify if a website is being operated by a bona fide pharmacy in Great Britain. More information is available on the General Pharmaceutical Council's website .

4. The MHRA undertakes covert surveillance and uses other intelligence tools at its disposal to monitor websites and take action as necessary. If an individual is convicted of offences under the Medicines Act 1968, they can be sentenced to a maximum of two years imprisonment or an unlimited fine. If an individual is convicted of offences in respect of Class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, they can be sentenced to a maximum of fourteen years' imprisonment 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. In cases involving counterfeit medicines, the MHRA will use the Fraud Act or Trade Marks Act which both carry a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

Source:
MHRA