A 27-year-old man from Uxbridge in northwest London was yesterday (26 May 2011) fined £10,000 at Southwark Crown Court for selling unlicensed medicines for erectile dysfunction.

Saranjit Bhambra pleaded guilty on 26 April 2011 to one offence of selling medicinal products that contain ingredients found in medicines that can only be supplied with a prescription or by a qualified pharmacist.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched the investigation known as Operation Rome following a test purchase of a pack of four Tadil tablets from Bhambra's website.

The test purchase led to a search at a car mechanic's garage, where officers found evidence connected to an illegal online pharmacy supplying medicinal products including tadalafil and sildenafil. Both tadalafil and sildenafil are potent active ingredients and should only be taken when directed by a healthcare professional, who has access to a patient's individual records, and supplied through a registered pharmacy.

MHRA Head of Enforcement, Mick Deats, said: "While websites such as these may look professional, what we see behind the scenes tells a very different story.

"These unlicensed medicines were being sold from a mechanic's garage which means they risk additional contamination due to the unsanitary conditions in which they were stored.

"Anyone considering taking medication for erectile dysfunction (ED) should consult a healthcare professional so that the right diagnosis can be made as this could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.

"The unlawful sale of medicines, including those to treat ED, poses a serious threat to public health and today's sentence reflects the nature and gravity of this crime."

Notes

1. Under the Medicines Act 1968 the penalty on indictment is a maximum of two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

2. Members of the public are 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. Unlicensed medicines have not been tested to European standards of safety, quality and efficacy.

Source:
MHRA