
Government control in internet
Roszdravnadzor together with law enforcement authorities prevented illegal distribution of falsified, unregistered and counterfeit medicines through the Internet. 7 criminal proceedings have been initiated.
Within the framework of interdepartmental interaction between 7 September to 17 September 2017, the Territorial body of Roszdravnadzor in Moscow and Moscow region, together with the Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department in Moscow region, engaged in measures to combat illegal trafficking of counterfeit, adulterated and unregistered medicines on the Internet.
The joint operation to identify illegal products was organized in a new, effective format: the specialists of Roszdravnadzor examined the medicinal products ordered on the Internet and delivered home by the courier directly at the time of purchase, which allowed officers of the Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department in Moscow region to take proceeding decisions regarding couriers and organizers of the illegal sale promptly, as well as to determine the storage locations of counterfeit, adulterated and unregistered medicines.
The operational recording of the transaction on the purchase and sale of the medicines for the first time made it possible to apply Article 6.33 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses “Circulation of adulterated, counterfeit, poor-quality and unregistered medicinal products, medical devices and turnover of adulterated biologically active supplements” against individuals (previously law enforcement practice concerned only legal entities). Based on the results, three administrative protocols were drawn up and submitted to the court (the administrative action is punishable by a fine of 70 to 100 thousand rubles).
Also, the law enforcement authorities opened two criminal cases under Article 180 of Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Illegal use of means of individualization of goods (works, services)” and 5 criminal cases under Article 238.1. “Circulation of adulterated, poor-quality and unregistered medicinal products, medical devices and turnover of adulterated biologically active supplements”.
In connection with this, Roszdravnadzor calls on citizens to take responsible care of their health and purchase only registered medications at stationary pharmacies that have an appropriate licence and warns legal entities and individuals of administrative and criminal liability for the production, sale and distribution of unregistered, adulterated and counterfeit medicinal products.
Roszdravnadzor information: According to paragraph 5 of the Rules for the remote sale of goods approved by RF Government Regulation No. 612 dated 27 September 2007, the remote sale of a number of goods, including medicines, is prohibited. According to paragraph 4 of the Rules for the sale of certain types of goods approved by the RF Government Regulation No. 55 dated 19 January 1998 when retailing where the buyer is located outside the stationary sale areas, the sale of medicinal products is not allowed.
The analysis conducted by Roszdravnadzor in conjunction with the Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department in Moscow region, showed that currently there were more than 1000 Internet sites and groups in the social networks involved in illegal activities for the sale of counterfeit and adulterated medicines on the territory of Moscow and Moscow region. According to preliminary estimates of the Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Department in Moscow region, the turnover of such illegal trade varies from 350 to 600 million rubles.
As a rule, sellers offer adulterated, unregistered and clinical trials unverified medicinal products have not passed clinical trials manufactured on the territory of the Republic of Turkey, the People’s Republic of China, India and a number of other countries for use in aesthetic medicine, oncology, treatment for hepatitis C, HIV infection and other socially significant diseases. Use of such medications poses a risk of causing harm to the citizens and to their health.