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Illicit medicines with an estimated value of £4.6m were intercepted at the UK border over 14 days in March, the MHRA has said.

The seizure was conducted over March 10-23 as part of the global Operation Pangea initiative alongside the UK border force and international agencies including Interpol.

More than half of the items seized were controlled drugs, with the rest classified as prescription medicines. The most commonly seized products were sedatives, pain relief medicines and erectile dysfunction treatments. 

In addition to border seizures, the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit (CEU) intervened in online supply chains through targeting websites, social media accounts and online marketplace adverts.

The CEU’s Andy Morling commented: “The scale of seizures in this year’s operation underlines the persistent demand for medicines outside the regulated supply chain. 

“Organised criminal groups are exploiting that demand and putting people’s health at serious risk. 

“This year’s operation also highlights the continued commitment of the MHRA and its international partners to disrupt the criminal networks behind this highly dangerous global trade. 

“We will continue to take decisive action to protect the public and ensure that medicines available in the UK meet our strict standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.”

Border Force postal lead Ian Kibblewhite said: “By taking millions of doses off our streets, we are disrupting organised crime and protecting the public. 

“We will continue to work closely with the MHRA and law enforcement partners to crack down on this illicit trade and secure our borders.”