Menu
21/11/2014
Department Of Health Warning Over Unregulated Drugs
The Department of Health has warned against the dangers of using medicines from unregulated sources.
Enforcement officials from the Department's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) were speaking following a two-day conference in Dublin called 'Ten Years of Combating Pharmaceutical Crime: Review and prospects'.
The conference brought together 200 medicines regulators, law enforcement and customs officials from 50 countries around Europe.
Professor Mike Mawhinney, Head of the DHSSPS’s Health's Medicines Regulatory Group, said: "Through active multi- agency collaboration at home and abroad, the Department will continue to work with key partners to take action to disrupt the availability and supply of illegal medicines and take every opportunity to raise public awareness around the dangers of using medicines from unregulated sources."
Department of Health Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer Peter Moore, who attended the conference, said: "Globally we are seeing a general increase in the trade and availability of illicit medicines. Fake medicines often contain dangerous contaminants or wrong amounts of active ingredient - too much, too little or none at all. This poses potentially major health risks and Northern Ireland is not immune from this threat.
"Recent thefts and seizures of prescription medicines highlights that pharmaceutical crime is an ongoing issue that we must address. I would again urge the public to be vigilant and to avoid putting their health at risk by purchasing medication from an illicit source. People should only take medicines in consultation with their healthcare professionals who have access to patient health records."
Yesterday, the PSNI and Department of Health warned the public regarding black market prescription drugs, following the theft of a quantity of prescription medicines. The drugs are oval in shape and are marked with 'KAP' on one side and 'AKE' on the reverse.
(IT/MH)
Enforcement officials from the Department's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) were speaking following a two-day conference in Dublin called 'Ten Years of Combating Pharmaceutical Crime: Review and prospects'.
The conference brought together 200 medicines regulators, law enforcement and customs officials from 50 countries around Europe.
Professor Mike Mawhinney, Head of the DHSSPS’s Health's Medicines Regulatory Group, said: "Through active multi- agency collaboration at home and abroad, the Department will continue to work with key partners to take action to disrupt the availability and supply of illegal medicines and take every opportunity to raise public awareness around the dangers of using medicines from unregulated sources."
Department of Health Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer Peter Moore, who attended the conference, said: "Globally we are seeing a general increase in the trade and availability of illicit medicines. Fake medicines often contain dangerous contaminants or wrong amounts of active ingredient - too much, too little or none at all. This poses potentially major health risks and Northern Ireland is not immune from this threat.
"Recent thefts and seizures of prescription medicines highlights that pharmaceutical crime is an ongoing issue that we must address. I would again urge the public to be vigilant and to avoid putting their health at risk by purchasing medication from an illicit source. People should only take medicines in consultation with their healthcare professionals who have access to patient health records."
Yesterday, the PSNI and Department of Health warned the public regarding black market prescription drugs, following the theft of a quantity of prescription medicines. The drugs are oval in shape and are marked with 'KAP' on one side and 'AKE' on the reverse.
(IT/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 November 2011
Dud Animal Medicines Seized In Co Antrim
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized substantial quantities of unauthorised and illegal veterinary medicines from a residential property in Ballymena. The drugs haul, worth several thousand pounds, included veterinary antibiotics and other veterinary medicines intended for the treatment of large numbers of farm animals.
Dud Animal Medicines Seized In Co Antrim
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized substantial quantities of unauthorised and illegal veterinary medicines from a residential property in Ballymena. The drugs haul, worth several thousand pounds, included veterinary antibiotics and other veterinary medicines intended for the treatment of large numbers of farm animals.
12 May 2023
Warning Issued Over Unregulated Weight Loss Medication
The Department of Health (DoH) has issued a warning over the dangers of buying prescription weight loss injections from unregulated sources, following an increase in demand reported in NI.
Warning Issued Over Unregulated Weight Loss Medication
The Department of Health (DoH) has issued a warning over the dangers of buying prescription weight loss injections from unregulated sources, following an increase in demand reported in NI.
21 August 2024
Lisburn Woman Fined For Possession Of Unlicensed Prescription Medicines
A Lisburn woman has been fined for the possession of, and the unlawful advertising of, unlicensed prescription medicines. At Lisburn Magistrates' Court, Nadine Poole, of Whitehill Lodge, received fines totalling £600 after pleading guilty to six charges in breach of the Human Medicines Regulations, 2012.
Lisburn Woman Fined For Possession Of Unlicensed Prescription Medicines
A Lisburn woman has been fined for the possession of, and the unlawful advertising of, unlicensed prescription medicines. At Lisburn Magistrates' Court, Nadine Poole, of Whitehill Lodge, received fines totalling £600 after pleading guilty to six charges in breach of the Human Medicines Regulations, 2012.
20 November 2013
£18m Wasted On Unused Medicines
About £18m is wasted every year in Northern Ireland on medicines that are ordered on prescription and supplied from pharmacies but not used by patients, according to the Department of Health.
£18m Wasted On Unused Medicines
About £18m is wasted every year in Northern Ireland on medicines that are ordered on prescription and supplied from pharmacies but not used by patients, according to the Department of Health.
25 May 2005
Illegal veterinary drugs seized in Co Down
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized a substantial amount of illegal veterinary drugs during separate raids in Co Down on Wednesday.
Illegal veterinary drugs seized in Co Down
Medicines Enforcement Officers have seized a substantial amount of illegal veterinary drugs during separate raids in Co Down on Wednesday.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
