Local MEP stamps down on dodgy drugs

Local MEP and doctor's wife Vicky Ford has been leading discussions in Brussels this week on combating counterfeit drugs in the UK and in Europe.  MEPs are currently working on legislation to protect patients from counterfeit medicines.

According to the UK government's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, 70,000 packs of false medicines managed to enter the UK last year during a period of just 5 months.  Most of these, fortunately, were seized, but 25,000 packs managed to reach patients.  It is not only lifestyle drugs that are targeted by counterfeiters but serious, lifesaving medicines as well.

Vicky Ford said:

"We are all aware of dodgy drugs that are sometimes sold over the internet.  What may come as a shock is how many falsified medicines sometimes find their way into traditional pharmacies through no fault of our highly diligent and professional pharmacists. Counterfeiting drugs is a highly sophisticated and organised criminal network. We need to work cross-border with other countries to tighten security and stop these drugs from entering the supply chain.

New rules being worked on in Brussels will help to provide protection to pharmacists, prescribers and producers but above all my first consideration is patient safety.  This is a good example of countries working together, although we must not allow it to slip into the realm of Brussels bureaucracy and unnecessary extra costs."

For further information contact Vicky Ford MEP 07771 812 976

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