Customs targets illegal medicine trade

More than 40 countries
last week took part in
an international week
of action targeting
the online sale of
counterfeit and illegal
medicines to raise
awareness of the
associated health risks,
resulting in arrests
across the globe and the
seizure of thousands
of potentially harmful
medicines.
Focusing on websites
supplying illegal and
dangerous medicines,
Operation Pangea
III is the largest
internet-based action
of its kind in support
of the International
Medical Products
Anti-Counterfeiting
Taskforce (Impact).
“Counterfeit
pharmaceuticals are a
rapidly growing threat
to global health and
safety, and are now
a matter of priority
concern for the
entire international
community,” said WCO
secretary general,
Kunio Mikuriya.
During the
operation 694 website
investigations were
opened and 290 sites
have already been shut
down.