Europol warns against counterfeit medicines in online shops

As part of “Operation Shield V”, between April and November 2024 Europol, together with law enforcement agencies, customs, anti-doping authorities and other institutions from 30 countries, targeted the smuggling of doping substances and medicines that were intended to be marketed for the wrong purposes or were counterfeit. According to the authorities, the value of the seizures amounts to more than 11.1 million euros.

According to Europol, most of the trade in counterfeit medicines takes place on social media, online marketplaces and the dark net. “Organized crime networks sell substandard, mislabeled or counterfeit pharmaceutical products, as well as products diverted from the legal supply chain, and are behind a wide range of illegal medicines and doping products,” Europol said. “Buying counterfeit medicines finances criminals, endangers consumer health and undermines the economy. Consumers should be warned that by buying counterfeit medicines, they are funding organized crime and harming themselves.”

Numerous arrests

Europol notes that the trade in counterfeit medicines is on the rise, with high costs for individuals and society. Pharmaceutical crime has a direct impact on public health and safety, affecting not only the individual but also the community and national healthcare systems. As part of Operation Shield V, law enforcement arrested, charged or prosecuted 418 people. They also investigated 52 organized crime gangs.

The investigators were also able to dismantle four underground laboratories. The confiscated items included more than 426,000 packs of illegal pharmaceutical preparations, 4,111 kilograms of powders and raw materials, 108 liters of active ingredients, almost 175,000 ampoules and vials and more than 4.6 million tablets and pills.

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(dmk)