The MHRA ’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, working with law enforcement partners, has seized over two million doses of illegally traded medicines this year valued at nearly £5 million.

Products seized in the UK included anti-depressants, pain medication and human growth hormones.

This is the 15th year since the MHRA launched Operation Pangea, an initiative cracking down on medicines crime. Pangea is now coordinated by Interpol, and the MHRA ’s CEU joined 89 countries for this year’s operation.

The MHRA uses it as an opportunity to remind the public that they should only purchase prescription medicines from a pharmacy and only when prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Anyone seeing medicines being sold illegally online can help the MHRA take action by reporting concerns through the Yellow Card scheme.

During the 15 years Op Pangea has been running over 25 million illegally traded medicines and devices have been seized in the UK valued at more than £84m.