BRITAIN'S Medicines and Healthcare regulatory Agency (MHRA) has provided details of investigations it is undertaking into the diversion of prescription only medicines from the regulated supply chain.
Organised crime is believed to be behind the move, with the probe revealing an "extensive network of criminality" involving wholesale dealers as well as a "small number of registered pharmacies".
Between 2013 and 2016 an estimated 115m-200m worth of medicines were diverted, with MHRA conducting 19 active investigations during 2017 and making more than 40 arrests.
Key focuses of the activity include benzodiazepines and anxiolytics, which MHRA said are being sold through illegal websites which have also allegedly stolen credit card details from customers.
"Selling medicines outside of the regulated supply chain is a serious criminal offence and we are working relentlessly with regulatory and law enforcement colleagues to identify and prosecute all those involved in this activity," said MHRA head of enforcement Alastair Jeffrey.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 07 Feb 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 07 Feb 18
