Crackdown on illicit medicines

WELLINGTON: A health watchdog has warned against the dangers of using illicit medicines available online as 500 tonnes of medicine were seized globally after a crackdown.

An international operation organised by Interpol revealed the most commonly seized medicines by Medsafe in New Zealand are erectile dsyfunction medicines.

Every year Interpol organises Operation Pangea, a a global crackdown on the trade in illicit medicines.

Medsafe again partnered with New Zealand Customs to participate in Operation Pangea XI.

During the course of the operation, Medsafe investigated website domain names selling illicit medicines and reported back to Interpol.

Globally, 500 tonnes of medicine were seized, 3671 web links were taken down and 859 arrests made.

In New Zealand, medicines for the treatment of erectile dysfunction were the most commonly seized medicines by Medsafe.

Medsafe’s Compliance Branch Manager, Derek Fitzgerald said for the year to date just under 125,000 dosage units of erectile dysfunction medication was seized.

‘‘Antibiotics are also commonly seized medicines — more than 73 thousand dosage units seized for the year to date,’’ he said.

‘‘Websites purporting to be in New Zealand, but actually run from elsewhere were reported to Interpol.

‘‘While those responsible aren’t in New Zealand, it was important to relay that information to Interpol for further action.’’ —