The Irish Medicines Board has said it is very concerned about the purchase of counterfeit medicines over the internet which it says could put people's lives at risk.
The agency said it had closed 12 websites in Ireland in recent years which were selling medicines and also secured the closure of websites based outside Ireland with the assistance of regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions.
The IMB said that it now deals with between 170 and 200 cases a year involving the sale of medicines over the internet. This represents around one third of the work of its investigating officers.
A report published today called for specific laws to deal with the internet purchase of counterfeit medicines.
The report says that Irish people are increasingly exposed to advertisements for drugs and medicines at cut prices and without having to visit a doctor to obtain a prescription.
The report, funded by the Department of Health and commissioned by the Irish Patients' Association, also called for an examination into the degree which the Internet and postal system are being used to bring counterfeit medicines into Ireland.
