A global week of action coordinated by Interpol has seen large quantities of illegally traded medicines and medical devices intercepted.
So-called "Operation Pangea" saw the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) shut down almost 50 social media accounts unlawfully offering to supply medicines, while officers from the MHRA Criminal Enforcement Unit searched five premises in the West Midlands and London, arresting two suspects.
In the UK medicines seized included antidepressants, erectile dysfunction tablets, painkillers, anabolic steroids and slimming pills.
The MHRA said it would be following the week of action with a detailed analysis of the global results to better understand the emerging criminal threat.
That includes identification of "hotspot" exporters, favoured medicines being traded and evolving criminal business models.
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