§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures have been operated to close websites selling drugs via the Internet. [132122]
§ Ms StuartThe procedures are identical to those used in any investigation into alleged breaches of medicines regulations. The investigation has to be conducted in accordance with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and its Codes of Practice.
Those websites which have been closed have either been closed voluntarily after advice from the Medicines Control Agency or closed following a warning by the Agency that a failure to close may result in a prosecution.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what drugs(a) licensed and (b) unlicensed by the Medicines Control Agency on sale via the Internet have led to (i) investigations and (ii) prosecutions. [132121]
§ Ms StuartFull information could only be put together at a disproportionate cost. (180 investigations are involved, each of which could cover any number of different medicines). However, investigations by the Medicines Control Agency into the alleged sale of medicines purporting to be licensed on the internet suggest that these medicines are likely to be those indicated for, or believed to possess memory enhancing capabilities (often referred to as "smart" drugs), or impotence (such as Viagra) or the capability to cause a loss of weight ("slimming pills"), or remedy hair loss.
Investigations by the Medicines Control Agency into the alleged sale of unlicensed medicines on the Internet indicate that such medicines are likely to be those 411W claiming the qualities stated in the preceding paragraph, for example, Gamma Hydroxyl Butyrate (GHB), Dehydroepiandrosterone (a steroid type drug).
The medicine involved in the only prosecution to date was GHB, being sole over the Internet.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations he has made of websites selling drugs(a) nationally and (b) internationally. [132123]
§ Ms StuartThe Medicines Control Agency (MCA) has conducted approximately 180 investigations into cases of national Websites allegedly offering medicines for sale. The MCA has no jurisdiction outside United Kingdom territory, although it works with enforcement and regulatory authorities in other countries, particularly the United States of America Food and Drug Administration, to investigate international websites.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many employees are engaged in the Special Inquiry Unit of the Medicines Control Agency investigating drug sales through the Internet. [132118]
§ Ms StuartThree enforcement offices of the Special Enquiry Unit of the Medicines Control Agency are specifically engaged in investigating alleged illegal sales of medicines on the Internet. In addition investigating officers in other units of the Medicines Control Agency's Enforcement Group undertake investigations into alleged breaches of medicines regulations in which activities on the Internet can be a major or contributory part. All this work may also be done in partnership with other national and international enforcement agencies and the Police Service.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is undergone by employees of the Special Inquiry Unit of the Medicines Control Agency investigating drug sales through the internet. [132119]
§ Ms StuartAll enforcement officers in the Medicines Control Agency receive basic training in the use of the internet. Enforcement officers in the Special Inquiry Unit also receive specialist training in advanced search techniques. In addition, some enforcement officers are intelligence analysts, trained to police standards in the analysis and validation of data and information.
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HAZ HAZ allocation 1999–20001 HAZ expenditure 1999–20002 Underspend against allocation—real terms2 Underspend as a percentage of allocation First Wave Lambeth, Southwark and Leiwsham 6,137 3,637 2,500 41 East London 5,535 5,421 114 2 Plymouth 2,043 1,227 816 40 Luton 1,300 1,132 168 13 Sandwell 2,302 1,258 1,045 45 South Yorkshire Coalfields 5,539 4,334 1,205 22 Manchester, Salford and Trafford 6,900 4,325 2,575 37 Bradford 3,822 1,657 2,165 56 Tyne and Wear 8,493 4,293 4,200 49 Northumberland 2,395 1,833 562 23 North Cumbria 2,298 1,218 1,080 47 First Wave Total 47,210 30,336 16,874 34 The MCA is committed to providing any training found necessary in this area to ensure it continues to effectively discharge its responsibility to enforce medicines legislation.
§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to seek to amend the law relating to sales of drugs over the internet; and if he will make a statement. [132120]