State closed 12 websites selling illegal drugs

THE State’s drug policing body is now spending around a third of its time investigating the sale of medicines over the internet, it was learned yesterday.

In the last five years the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has been involved in the closure of 12 websites illegally selling medicines over the internet. Three were based in Ireland.

The IMB believes that seven counterfeit medicines could be available on the Irish market.

Illicit drugs identified by the IMB include those taken to treat high cholesterol, weight loss and erectile dysfunction.

The board issued a specific warning about the possible presence of counterfeit Lipitor, a drug used to treat high cholesterol.

Last year the IMB seized 2,300 counterfeit Viagra tablets that originated from China. It also seized 100 tablets of counterfeit Halotestin mainly used to treat testosterone deficiency and 66,400 counterfeit Durex condoms.

Also in 2005 the IMB, together with customs officials, seized 220 illegal medicine importations.

A report published yesterday called for laws to deal with the internet purchase of counterfeit medicines and for the gardaí and customs to be able to work with Interpol on counterfeit drug investigations.

The report, compiled by researchers from Dublin City University, was commissioned by the Irish Patients Association and funded by the Department of Health.

Chair of the Irish Patients’ Association, Stephen McMahon, said the closure of the websites was further evidence of what was an emerging problem.

“We are delighted that the IMB has been successful in closing down the websites. But such websites could be open for business tomorrow under a different name. That is why the legislation needs to be changed,” said Mr McMahon.

Co-author of the report, Dr Dónal Ó Mathúna, said it would take a co-ordinated effort by all of the regulatory bodies to deal with the problem.

The public must also become aware of the fact that buying drugs over the internet was contributing to the overall problem, he said.

“You can shut down a couple of hundred sites but it is just as easy to establish a couple of thousand in their place very quickly,” he warned.

The IMB stressed that the importation of prescription only medicinal products for personal use via the internet is illegal and those found to be in breach of the law could face a hefty fine and up to 10 years in jail.

However, it said the problem was not “of an enormous magnitude” in Ireland.