UK shuts down thousands of fake online pharmaciesin

CNI Desk: A record number of fake online pharmacies were shut down in May as part of a global crackdown.

More than 100,000 online marketplaces offering illicit drugs were removed as part of Interpol's Operation Pangea.

In the UK, fake medicines worth more than $13m (£9.17m) were seized as part of the efforts.

 

It marked the biggest week for the operation since 2008, as criminals cashed in on the demand for Covid-related products.

Between 18 and 25 May, 277 arrests were made, involving 92 countries, and pharmaceuticals worth more than $20m seized.

Most of the illegal medical devices seized were fake or unauthorised Covid-19 testing kits.

UK authorities removed more than 3,100 advertising links for the illegal sale and supply of unlicensed medicines and 43 UK-based websites were closed down.