Unregistered medicine worth R126-m seized at OR Tambo
“The discovery of the tablets was made last week by authorities during an inspection of a cargo container that was destined for SA from India.
Unregistered medicine worth a market value of R126-million was seized at the OR Tambo International Airport on February 19.
The medicine, believed to be Ivermectin, was mainly found to be in tablet form. “SAPS members at the OR Tambo International Airport seized the medicine in yet another major breakthrough in clamping down the illegal importation of unregistered medicine,” said SAPS spokesperson Col Athlenda Mathe.
“The discovery of the tablets was made last week by authorities during an inspection of a cargo container that was destined for SA from India. “Upon a compliance verification of the unregistered medicine by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), authorities found the company that had imported the medicine had done so without the necessary written approval and authorisation from the regulatory authority.”
Mathe also said while no arrests have been made as yet, the SAPS through its Interpol office is working with authorities from India to establish the exact delivery address of the consignment in the country.
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“The latest confiscation of the unregistered medicine is the largest bust concerning the illegal importation of medicine, since the beginning of the year,” explained Mathe. “In January, a multidisciplinary team arrested a total of seven people for the illegal importation of unregistered medicine mostly found to be Ivermectin. One person was arrested at the King Shaka International Airport, while six others were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.
“All seven accused have already appeared before the court and are out on bail.”
Mathe said in all cases, preliminary investigations revealed the unregistered medicine had been imported for sale purposes and would have been utilised in the treatment of the Covid-19 virus.
“The SAPS, therefore, draws the attention of pharmaceutical companies, including health experts, to section 22(c) of the Medicines Act which clearly states that anyone who wishes to import medicine into the country must have written authority from SAHPRA.
“It should be further noted that those who do not comply with the Act will be apprehended and brought before a court of law to answer to illegal dealing and/or importation of unregistered medicine,” concluded Mathe.
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