Online drug shopping ‘widespread’

January 10, 2008

More than two million people in the UK now buy their drugs online, research published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPSGB) suggests. Up to a third of these medicines may be fake and could seriously damage people's health, it warns. The society has launched a new logo for online chemists so shoppers know which businesses…

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Hotline Part of New UK Anticounterfeit Strategy

December 13, 2007

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) unveiled an aggressive agenda Nov. 23 for combating the market in counterfeit medicines and medical devices. The plan targets both regulated and unregulated supply chains. The three-year anticounterfeit strategy calls for a complete assessment of current supply and distribution procedures in the UK and outlines the…

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BMA Warns Of The Dangers Of Buying Drugs On The Internet, UK

December 1, 2007

A warning to patients about the dangers of buying prescription drugs via the internet came from the British Medical Association (BMA). The Association wants to work with the government and the World Health Organisation to control internet sales of medicines, some of which are counterfeit and potentially harmful. Dr Hamish Meldrum, Chairman of BMA Council,…

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Watchdog issues alert over four Chinese medicines

November 30, 2007

LONDON (Reuters) – People should stop taking four traditional Chinese medicines on sale in Britain that contain an acid linked to cancer and kidney failure, the drug safety watchdog said on Thursday. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said patients who have taken the medicine should see their doctor immediately. Officials seized 6,500…

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Medicines recalled as counterfeits still a threat

November 29, 2007

Anti-impotence drugs, skin-lightening products, steroids, antidepressants and weight-loss drugs were among the products seized by officers of the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) last year. In total, the IMB seized 96,487 tablets, 41,361 capsules, 52,873 liquids and 5,652 creams. It had 797 enforcement cases during the year — a big jump on the 430 orders in…

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MHRA launches new action plan to combat UK counterfeit hub

November 26, 2007

The UK has become an unlikely hub for drug counterfeiters, with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last week launching its new three-year action plan to tackle the recent surge in drug fakes head on. While drug counterfeiters tend to manufacture their illegitimate wares in locations such as China or India, the…

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