AQW 13970/22-27


Mr Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle


Tabled Date: 28/06/2024
Answered On Date: 05/07/2024
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 13062/22-27, to detail (i) the number of individuals who (a) are currently facing prosecution; (b) have been prosecuted for purchasing counterfeit weight loss drugs in the last three years; and (ii) whether his Department has considered utilising social media as a tool to raise awareness of the dangers around this issue.


Answer:
My Department is committed to taking all possible steps to stop illegal promotion, supply or misuse of medicines and, when appropriate, to alert the public about the dangers of using unauthorised and counterfeit medicines outside the regulated supply chain.
Where evidence or information suggests unlawful practice is occurring or a breach of the Human Medicines Regulations is identified, my Department’s Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) will consider a range of enforcement options proportionate to the circumstances to achieve compliance, including for example through the issuing of warning or advice, referral to professional bodies, or prosecution.
My Department cannot disclose all information in respect of its live investigative work. However, I can confirm that during the period 2022 -2024 inclusive, MRG has conducted 18 investigations focusing on the unlawful possession, advertisement and/or supply of counterfeit or unlicensed weight-loss medicinal products. To date, one person has been successfully prosecuted and a further four prosecutions are pending.
MRG has also issued 10 formal Advice & Warning letters, seized over 340 weight-loss medicinal products and reported two persons to their professional regulatory bodies.
My Department has taken appropriate steps to alert the public about the dangers of using unauthorised and counterfeit medicines outside the regulated supply chain, including for example through the issue of statements and press releases. This includes the use of my Department’s official social media platforms.