Worldwide Operation SHIELD IV continues to show strong demand for illegal pharmaceutical preparations – PHARMIG warns of their fatal consequences for health
The goods confiscated during the operation show us that the illegal trade in counterfeit medicines and other preparations continues to thrive. The dealers are unscrupulous, as the counterfeit medicines threaten the health and sometimes even the lives of patients. Counterfeit products are not subject to quality control, are manufactured without mandatory hygiene or safety standards and usually contain different amounts of active ingredients, none at all or deviating from the original preparations.”
Mag. Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of PHARMIG
Vienna (OTS) – Operation Shield IV, coordinated by Europol, seized counterfeit medicines worth 64 million euros in around 30 countries from April to October 2023. The other results: 296 people were arrested, four illegal laboratories were uncovered and 92 websites were shut down.
In view of the dangers that counterfeit medicines pose to the population, PHARMIG General Secretary Alexander Herzog emphasizes the importance of this far-reaching police operation: “The goods confiscated during the operation show us that the illegal trade in counterfeit medicines and other preparations continues to thrive. The dealers are unscrupulous, as the counterfeit medicines threaten the health and sometimes even the lives of patients. Counterfeit products are not subject to quality control, are manufactured without mandatory hygiene or safety standards and usually contain different amounts of active ingredients, none at all or deviating from the original preparations.”
As the Europol release shows, over 636,000 packages of illegal medicines, over 69 tonnes of powder and raw materials, more than 11,500 liters of active pharmaceutical ingredients, around 121,500 bottles and ampoules and over 12 million tablets were seized during the key operation. As similar actions have shown in the past, these are primarily doping products, but also include medications for erectile dysfunction as well as vitamin preparations and preparations for use in cosmetic surgery.
According to a report from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, counterfeit medications, including anabolic steroids in the form of 255,100 pills, 10,750 ampoules and 140,400 packs, were seized in Austria alone. There are also 2,600 packs of drug substitutes and 37,860 packs of sexual enhancers.
Herzog says: “The easiest way to stop counterfeiters is to completely avoid medicines from dubious sources. If your own health is important to you, you should only purchase medication from pharmacies or certified online pharmacies.”
The BASG website provides an overview of these certified and therefore safe mail-order pharmacies at https://www.basg.gv.at/verbrauchentinnen/arzneimittel
About PHARMIG: PHARMIG is the voluntary interest group of the Austrian pharmaceutical industry. The association currently has around 120 members (as of February 2024), who cover a good 95 percent of the medication market. PHARMIG and its member companies stand for the best possible security of supply of medicines in the healthcare system and ensure social and medical progress through quality and innovation.
Questions & Contact:
PHARMIG – Association of the Austrian Pharmaceutical Industry
Peter Richter, BA MA MBA
Head of Communications & PR
+43 664 8860 5264
peter.richter@pharmig.at
www.pharmig.at
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