Peter Gillespie, 64, from Windsor, Berkshire was today found guilty of all charges at Croydon Crown Court and sentenced to eight years imprisonment for the most serious known breach of the UK regulated supply chain of medicines.

Four other men on trial for their involvement have been acquitted.

The case, known as Operation Singapore, involved the infiltration of counterfeit medicine into the UK legitimate supply chain during a five-month period in 2007.

More than two million doses of fake life-saving drugs were imported into the UK and, although more than half of these were seized by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), almost 900,000 doses reached pharmacies and patients.

The MHRA carried out an immediate recall of Zyprexa, Plavix and Casodex and, as a result, a further 196,000 doses were recovered, however 700,000 doses were unaccounted for.

The trial began in November 2010 and the MHRA is pleased that the individuals concerned have been brought to justice.

MHRA Head of Enforcement, Mick Deats said, "This outcome sends a clear message to those involved, or contemplating involvement in, the manufacture and supply of counterfeit medicines.

"Public health is a matter of public concern and those deliberately putting people's lives in jeopardy should expect to be vigorously pursued through the criminal courts.

"This is serious criminal activity and puts people's lives at risk. Our primary objective is to protect public health and we will not hesitate to take all appropriate action to eliminate the risks posed by counterfeit medicines and take action against those engaged in their supply.

"We share the concerns of patients across the UK. All patients have a right to expect that medicines supplied to them are genuine and meet appropriate standards of quality safety and efficacy.

"Unfortunately, there are those who are prepared to put profits before concern for other human beings and risk the serious consequences that their actions may bring.

"However, all available information suggests that medicines supplied through the UK legitimate supply chain are genuine and safe to take. Against a background of some 850 million prescriptions dispensed in the UK per year, this type of case is exceptionally rare."

The MHRA has a comprehensive and effective programme of work to combat counterfeit medicines. This is being achieved through a sustained programme of communication, collaboration and regulation - as set out in its Anti-Counterfeiting Strategy published in November 2007.

Proposals to strengthen the UK medicines supply chain against the growing threat from counterfeits arising from that Strategy are now at an advanced stage of development.

The Government is committed to detecting, investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of counterfeiters of medicines found in the UK.

Notes

1. Although the availability of counterfeit medicines is a growing threat globally, the supply of counterfeit medicines is predominantly via the internet.

2. There have been 15 known instances of counterfeit medicines in the UK regulated supply chain since 2004, but given the 850 million prescriptions dispensed annually in the UK, the likelihood of receiving a counterfeit medicine remains extremely rare.

3. Zyprexa is used for the treatment of psychosis. Plavix is used for the prevention of blood clots. Casodex is used for the treatment of prostate cancer.

4. 72,000 (2,016,000 doses) packs were imported into the UK over a five month period. 40,000 (1,120,000 doses) were seized by the MHRA as a result of officials having been alerted to their presence in the UK. 32,000 (896,000 doses) reached pharmacies and patients and, although 7000 (196,000 doses) were recovered following the recall of all three medicines, 25,000 (700,000 doses) remain unaccounted for.

5. The EU has made proposals to strengthen the EU medicines supply chain against the threat from counterfeits and these will be concluded soon. Taken together, the UK and EU proposals will significantly strengthen the supply chain in the UK. They will:

a. Strengthen the rules governing anyone trading in medicines

b. Remove anomalies in the legislation that allow certain trading in medicines to take place without the relevant licence

c. Increase controls over active substances that are imported into the EU

d. Require medicines that are at risk of counterfeiting to be protected by a tamper- proof seal and means to identify individual packs.

6. To report a counterfeit medicine or device contact the MHRA by email counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk.

Source:
MHRA