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13/02/2013
Man Convicted For Importing Unlicensed Medicine
A north Belfast man has been convicted for illegally importing a large quantity of unlicensed medicine into Northern Ireland.
37-year-old John Tohill, from North Queen Street in Belfast, was found guilty at Belfast Magistrates’ Court after police seized erectile dysfunction pills thought to be worth £3,000 on the black market.
Mr Tohill was fined £200 plus court costs, having pleaded guilty to importing the unlicensed prescription drugs from India.
The United Kingdom Border Force intercepted the illegal 'Kamagra' tablets in October 2012.
It was then established Mr Tohill had sourced the illegal medicines via the internet.
During a search of his residential address, officers found a further quantity of the unlicensed drugs.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Medicines Regulatory Group Senior Enforcement Officer Peter Moore said: "It is vital that we continue to get the message across that the use of medicines sourced in this way is a real risk.
"When you buy a medicine from an unregistered website or unregulated source, you will never know the conditions that product has been made in. On top of that, you very well may be receiving a product that is fake or reacts adversely with any other medication you take. My advice to the public is that they should only take Prescription Only Medicines after an appropriate consultation with their GP. Only healthcare professionals can take into account risks and benefits associated with every medicine."
Professor Mike Mawhinney, Head of the Medicines Regulatory Group, said: "The Department has made it very clear that it will continue to be vigilant and proactive in the regulation of medicines in Northern Ireland and this investigation clearly demonstrates our determination to stop this kind of illegal activity.
"Our message is simple – don’t be tempted to bypass the regulated system in Northern Ireland. The public is advised that they should not purchase medicines from unregistered or unregulated internet sites. I would urge the public to be on the alert to ensure that they do not put their health at risk or fund this crime by purchasing medication from an illicit source."
(IT)
37-year-old John Tohill, from North Queen Street in Belfast, was found guilty at Belfast Magistrates’ Court after police seized erectile dysfunction pills thought to be worth £3,000 on the black market.
Mr Tohill was fined £200 plus court costs, having pleaded guilty to importing the unlicensed prescription drugs from India.
The United Kingdom Border Force intercepted the illegal 'Kamagra' tablets in October 2012.
It was then established Mr Tohill had sourced the illegal medicines via the internet.
During a search of his residential address, officers found a further quantity of the unlicensed drugs.
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Medicines Regulatory Group Senior Enforcement Officer Peter Moore said: "It is vital that we continue to get the message across that the use of medicines sourced in this way is a real risk.
"When you buy a medicine from an unregistered website or unregulated source, you will never know the conditions that product has been made in. On top of that, you very well may be receiving a product that is fake or reacts adversely with any other medication you take. My advice to the public is that they should only take Prescription Only Medicines after an appropriate consultation with their GP. Only healthcare professionals can take into account risks and benefits associated with every medicine."
Professor Mike Mawhinney, Head of the Medicines Regulatory Group, said: "The Department has made it very clear that it will continue to be vigilant and proactive in the regulation of medicines in Northern Ireland and this investigation clearly demonstrates our determination to stop this kind of illegal activity.
"Our message is simple – don’t be tempted to bypass the regulated system in Northern Ireland. The public is advised that they should not purchase medicines from unregistered or unregulated internet sites. I would urge the public to be on the alert to ensure that they do not put their health at risk or fund this crime by purchasing medication from an illicit source."
(IT)
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