Counterfeit medicines sold online a major threat to consumer

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Sep 2008

Over 60% of medicines purchased online are fake or substandard. This frightening figure has been revealed in a comprehensive research report, "The Counterfeiting Superhighway", which will be presented today at the European Parliament by Bill Newton Dunn, Liberal Democrat MEP for the East Midlands, and the European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines (EAASM).

On 9th September, a three day exhibition hosted by Bill Newton Dunn about counterfeit medicines at the Parliament will present an in-depth online purchasing report examining internet pharmacies and life-saving medicines. This report reveals that 62% of medicines purchased online, mostly to treat serious conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory disease, neurological disorders and mental health conditions, are fake or substandard medicine.

Speaking from Brussels, Bill Newton Dunn says: "These findings are alarming. Commonly purchased prescription-only medicines ordered online are delivered without requiring the sight of a prescription. Over 90% of online pharmacies researched are operating illegally, selling their medicine with fake 'pharmacy approval' stamps. This is a serious threat to public health. We need to take immediate action and I call on all MEPs, patient associations, the pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders to work together as to guarantee the patients' safety and well-being."

Jim Thomson, Chair of the EAASM says: "The report findings are shocking and the story it tells demands action. Consumers are susceptible to fake medicines which could harm their health, and in extreme cases be deadly. The EAASM calls on all stakeholders including search engines, credit card companies, shipping companies, patient groups and regulators, to take action and halt this dangerous trend".

Bill Newton Dunn, MEP: "The threat to patients from counterfeit medicines has never been greater and the report's findings support the latest European Commission figures on customs seizures. They show that counterfeit medicines intercepted at European Union borders have increased 219% from 2005 to 2007, to over 4 million items. The EAASM report highlights that these seizures are just the tip of the iceberg and that action is needed now to protect patients."