The Medicines Healthcare and Regulatory Authority have conducted raids on five UK-based websites thought to be selling unlicensed or prescription-only medicines.
Officers from the MHRA visited sites in Colchester, Canterbury, Preston, and Harrow and Hayes in Middlesex and seized computer equipment and substances such as ephedrine, a synthetic derivative of amphetamine often sold as an appetite suppressant, and an unlicensed drug for male impotence, Kamagra.
The searches were carried out under the Medicine Act 1968 and police accompanied the agency’s officers on a number of the visits. A selection of these websites have now been shut down.
A spokesperson for the MHRA explained that many of the sites were selling ‘lifestyle’-type drugs for conditions such as hair loss and weight problems: "It’s mainly down to the fact that many people feel embarrassed about talking to their doctors about these particular issues that they might have."
"However, there are criminals out there who are operating these type of websites, therefore there’s no guarantee as to their safety, quality or effectiveness."
Under current regulations, websites that sell drugs come under the same regulations as bricks-and-mortar pharmacies, and must be licenced to sell prescription drugs. The matter is now in the hands of lawyers, the MHRA confirmed.
The raid was part of an ongoing investigation by the MHRA into 118 sites in the UK thought to be selling medicines without a licence, and follows interventions earlier this year. Thirteen cases are currently pending prosecution.
Many drug sites are based abroad and sell to the UK. Although the agency does not have power over these sites, a spokesperson said that the MHRA works closely with their counterparts abroad and aims to share intelligence.
Mick Deats, head of enforcement and intelligence at the MHRA, said: "People can be at considerable risk if they buy medicines from illegal and unregulated websites. A medicine bought in this way has no guarantee of safety, quality or effectiveness.
"Today’s visits demonstrate our commitment to safeguard public health and act as a stark warning to those in the UK who are engaged in any way with supplying medicines illegally."
David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement at the Royal Pharamceutical Society of Great Britain, said "The RPSGB has welcomed action by the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to shut down internet sites allegedly selling prescription-only medicines.
"However, there are legitimate pharmacy websites but these must operate on registered pharmacy premises. Members of the public wishing to check registration of sites can do so on the RPSGB’s website, http://www.rpsgb.org/."