A global operation against illegal medicine has taken down more than 70 illegal websites, and a total of 22 individuals are currently under investigation for a range of offences.
This week, the Danish Medicines Agency participated in an international operation targeting online sale and marketing of counterfeit and illegal medicines. Code named 'Operation Pangea II' and co-organised by INTERPOL and WHO, the operation was joined by a total of 24 countries from all over the world.
The purpose of the operation is to highlight the dangers of buying medicines on the internet in response to an ever-increasing number of websites selling dangerous and illegal medicines.
In this operation, the national medicines regulators worked closely together and in many of the countries with participation from the police and customs authorities.
The operation has resulted in
- a series of arrests related to illegal online sale of medicinal products.
- the identification and referral of 750 illegal websites to INTERPOL,
- the taking down of more than 70 websites,
- the inspection of more than 16,000 dispatches worldwide, and the seizure of nearly 1,000 dispatches containing medicines.
The results show that there is still every reason to be cautious when buying medicines online. The medicines may be counterfeit, illegal and even dangerous, implying that they do not meet the rigorous quality standards for medicines. At the Danish Medicines Agency, we advise consumers to consult their doctor before buying medicines online.
Find out more about the dangers of buying medicines online here:
The countries participating in Operation Pangea II are:
Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Holland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, South Africa, Thailand, Czech Republic, Germany, United Kingdom, USA and Austria.
For further information about the Danish Medicines Agency's participation in Operation Pangea II, please contact, Kim Helleberg Madsen, tel. +45 4488 9399 or Matilde Kyst Behrens, tel.: +45 4488 9183.
Danish Medicines Agency, 20 November 2009
