The Irish Medicines Board has confirmed a 66% rise in the quantity of illegal medicinal products seized in 2010.
822,000 dosage units of counterfeit and illegal medicines were seized in 2010. There has been a 5 fold increase in the number of illegal weight loss products seized. Some of these products when tested were found to contain the banned substance sibutramine. Sibutramine can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke and is banned throughout the EU.
The Board has confirmed that the majority of the seizures related to mail order importations of prescription only medicinal products.
The Board has recommended that members of the public never purchase medicines online as there are no guarantees as to safety, quality or the effectiveness of these products. There is absolutely no way for people to establish whether medicines available on the internet contain what they claim to or if they are in any way effective in treating the illness or condition in question.
The Irish Medicines Board is the competent authority for the licensing of human and vetinary medicines, medical devices and the cosmetics industry in Ireland. Its role is to protect and enhance public and animal health through the regulation of medicines, medical devices and healthcare products.
If any of these issues affect you please contact Liam Moloney, Solicitor in Naas at 045 898000 or simply log onto our website www.moloneysolicitors.ie for further information in relation to your rights.
