As in previous years, a further sharp increase in imports of illegal medicines was once again noted for 2009. A total of 1,154 suspicious and thus potentially illegal imports of medicines were reported to Swissmedic by the Federal Customs Authorities in 2009. This represents an increase of 68% compared with the previous year. In 1.045 cases, Swissmedic initiated administrative proceedings leading to financial penalties, and most of the shipments (93%) were destroyed once the proceedings were completed. Penal proceedings were initiated in some cases. The number of the illegal imports reported does not, however, reflect the real numbers of medicines that reach Switzerland by illegal means. Based on estimations, the number of dispatches is over 50,000 per year.