The MHRA seized black market medicines with a potential street value of £40m in 2024, a one-third increase on the previous year when £30m worth of illegally traded medicines were seized. 

The medicines regulator announced this morning (January 29) that in 2024 its Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) took over 17 million doses of drugs including painkillers (5.5 million doses), sleeping tablets (1.6 million) and erectile dysfunction medicines (5.5 million) out of black market circulation. 

Most of the medicines were not licensed for UK sale, meaning there were no guarantees as to their safety or efficacy. Criminal targets included online networks, with over 1,500 websites and social media posts ‘disrupted’ by CEU efforts last year. 

The CEU also worked with Home Office border officials to stop medicines illegally entering the UK. 

These efforts deprived criminals of over £7.5m in profits over the course of 2024. Using powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 the MHRA froze bank accounts, intercepted digital currencies, confiscated proceeds from convicted criminals and seized luxury goods. 

Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit, said: “Criminals are in the illegal medicines trade for one reason only, to make money.

“By seizing their profits, we’re removing that single motivation. 

“Whether held in bitcoin or banknotes, we can take these criminal profits out of the hands of offenders. 

“We can also use some of the money to strengthen our enforcement efforts against them. It’s a win for the safety of the public, and a serious blow for organised crime.

“Where appropriate we will also use the full range of our powers to bring offenders before the courts.”

Health minister Karin Smyth said: “Shameful criminals selling unregulated and illegal medicines must feel the full force of the law. 

“We are cracking down on these rogue retailers, taking illicit medicines off the streets and keeping the public safe. 

“The MHRA will use the funds made through this to strengthen future action against criminals.”