More safety for patients - against the illegal trading in medicine and counterfeit medicines: Stricter controls at Swissmedic and at customs, intensive advice in information in pharmacies
Bern, 15.10.2008 - Medicines can be obtained from Swiss pharmacies in all safety. Illegal trading with medicines from the Internet and with counterfeit medicines is nevertheless still increasing in Switzerland. During this year, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, has already been informed by the Swiss Customs Authorities (EZV) of around 450 shipments suspected as being illegal or counterfeit medicines. The total number for the whole of 2007 was 366 shipments, discovered by means of random checks. "These figures are just the tip of the iceberg," says Karoline Mathys, head of Swissmedic's Market Monitoring Division. "We estimate that at least 50,000 shipments of illegal shipments reach Switzerland by post each year."