Latest news with #OperationPangeaXVII
Global News
5 hours ago
- Health
- Global News
Health Canada issues Interpol operation alert over fake drugs sold online
Health Canada has issued a public advisory warning Canadians about buying health products online after an international operation against counterfeit medicine saw thousands of packages stopped or seized before entering the country. From Dec. 16, 2024, until May 16, 2025, Interpol led an operation across 90 countries, Operation Pangea XVII, that resulted in the seizure of 50.4 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals worth more than $88 million, with 769 suspects arrested and 123 criminal groups dismantled worldwide, the largest seizures and arrests in the organization's history. 'Fake and unapproved medications are a serious risk to public health. They can include dangerous or illegal ingredients potentially resulting in severe illness, or even death,' said David Caunter, director pro tempore of organized and emerging crime at Interpol. In Canada's case, Health Canada inspected 19,193 packages coming into the country, stopping 7,096 from entering and seizing another 539 at the border suspected of containing counterfeit or otherwise unauthorized health products worth an estimated $378,000. Story continues below advertisement About 69 per cent of the seized products were sexual enhancement medications, and another 10 per cent were supplements, including herbal and dietary forms. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy About four per cent were veterinary and antiparasitic drugs, two per cent were hormones, two per cent were antibiotics and one per cent were weight loss drugs. 'Health products sold online may seem legitimate and safe, but some may not actually be authorized for sale in Canada and could be dangerous to your health,' Health Canada says in a news release. It notes that unauthorized health products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy and quality and could pose serious risks as a result. For example, the products could be fake, badly stored, mislabelled, expired or subject to recalls. 'Unauthorized drugs or natural health products may have no active ingredients, the wrong ingredients, or dangerous additives such as prescription drugs not listed on the label,' Health Canada says. 'Unlicensed medical devices might be low quality, may not work, or may be unsafe.' Wednesday's public advisory is urging Canadians to take steps to protect themselves, including by contacting the pharmacy regulatory authority in their province or territory if they have questions about an online pharmacy to ensure it is safe to order from. Canadians are also advised to consult with a health-care professional, such as their doctor or pharmacist, if there are questions about a health-care product and report adverse events or complaints involving drugs, natural health products or medical devices, including illegal products, to Health Canada. Story continues below advertisement People can also check the recalls and safety alerts database for advisories on illegal health products if they have concerns. Health Canada noted that it maintains lists of authorized sexual enhancement products, skin lightening and other skin treatments, workout supplements and poppers — alkyl nitrate, which is sometimes used for recreational purposes.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Global crackdown: US$65mil in illegal Ozempic, peptides, drugs seized
KUALA LUMPUR: Police agencies around the world have seized an estimated US$65 million (RM305 million) worth of fake or unauthorised medications in a sweeping international crackdown targeting the surge of illicit drugs flooding the internet. Between December and May 2025, authorities in 90 countries — including 26 in Asia — seized more than 50 million doses of counterfeit, unapproved, or illegally diverted medications, International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) said Wednesday, as part of a sweeping global crackdown on black market pharmaceuticals. The operation was coordinated by Interpol, which led the global effort to target the illicit drug trade. Interpol said Operation Pangea XVII led to the arrest of 769 suspects and the dismantling of 123 criminal networks across the globe. "The seizures and arrests are the largest in the operation's 17-year history," it said. Nervous system agents, including psychostimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and medications for Parkinson's disease, topped the list as the most seized product type, with erectile dysfunction medicines the second highest. Other commonly seized product types include anabolic steroids, anti-diabetic medicines, anti-smoking products, dermatological agents, health supplements, herbal products and psychotherapeutic agents. Interpol's acting director of Organised and Emerging Crime, David Caunter, warned that fake and unapproved medicines pose a deadly threat and are increasingly spread online by criminal networks. "Fake and unapproved medications are a serious risk to public health. They can include dangerous or illegal ingredients potentially resulting in severe illness, or even death. "The rapid growth of online platforms has made it easier for these unsafe drugs to reach people as well as opening new opportunities for criminal networks to exploit. "Working together through Operation Pangea, countries are taking action to protect people's health and keep healthcare systems safe." The operation highlighted a growing demand for anti-diabetic drugs and peptide supplements, fuelled by rising self-medication and online promotion. Criminal networks are exploiting social media and digital marketplaces to sell low-quality or counterfeit products, drawn by high profits and relatively low risk. Authorities reported a surge in illicit anti-diabetic medicines — particularly semaglutide — across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, with some pens fetching hundreds of US dollars on the black market. The seizures support recent warnings from the World Health Organization and national health agencies about the rising dangers of GLP-1-related injectable drugs. Operation Pangea XVII also uncovered surging demand for unapproved peptide supplements like BPC-157, ipamorelin, and melanotan — especially in wealthier countries — despite health risks and limited clinical testing. Law enforcement agencies across the globe launched 1,728 investigations and executed 847 search warrants targeting criminal networks involved in the illegal distribution of pharmaceuticals. Nearly 93 per cent of the seized medicines lacked approval from national health authorities, with many found to be counterfeit, substandard or falsified. Australia reported the largest volume of seizures, primarily involving psychostimulants like modafinil, followed by anti-smoking products and erectile dysfunction drugs. Professor Tony Lawler, head of Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), said the agency helped seize over 5.2 million units of unlawfully imported therapeutic goods, including substandard and falsified products. Malaysia removed the highest number of illicit online listings — 7,000 — followed by Russia, Ireland, Singapore and Iran, collectively accounting for 96 per cent of takedowns. Additional major seizures were reported in Canada, Portugal, Sweden, and the United States, with some countries uncovering trafficking networks in prisons and courier hubs. Operation Pangea is an annual Interpol crackdown on illegal online drug sales. The 17th edition ran for six months, replacing the usual one-week effort to better disrupt criminal networks.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Public Advisory - Buying health products online? Know the risks
OTTAWA, ON, June 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Summary Product: Unauthorized health products, including drugs, natural health products and medical devices, sold on the Internet Issue: Health products – Product safety; Unauthorized product What to do: If you buy health products online, buy them from a reputable website and check that Health Canada has authorized them for sale. Report suspected illegal health products to Health Canada. Affected products Drugs, natural health products, and medical devices that have not been authorized by Health Canada and may pose serious health risks. Issue As part of Operation Pangea XVII—an international effort led by INTERPOL to disrupt the online sale of counterfeit medicines and other illegal health products around the world—Health Canada is reminding consumers to be careful when buying health products—including drugs, natural health products and medical devices—over the Internet. Health products sold online may seem legitimate and safe, but some may not actually be authorized for sale in Canada and could be dangerous to your health. It is important to know how to spot risky health products if you are buying them online. Unauthorized health products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy, and quality and as a result, can pose serious risks to your health. For example, they may be fake, badly stored, mislabeled, expired, or subject to recalls. Unauthorized drugs or natural health products may have no active ingredients, the wrong ingredients, or dangerous additives such as prescription drugs not listed on the label. Unlicensed medical devices might be low quality, may not work, or may be unsafe. During this year's five-month Operation (December 16, 2024, to May 16, 2025), Health Canada inspected 19,193 packages. Of these, it stopped 7,096 (37%) packages from entering the country and seized 539 (3%) additional packages at the border that contained suspected counterfeit or otherwise unauthorized health products, worth an estimated total value of $378,170. The vast majority of the seized products were sexual enhancement medications (69%), followed by supplements such as herbal and dietary supplements (10%), veterinary and antiparasitic drugs (4%), hormones (2%), antibiotics (2%) and weight loss drugs (1%). Health Canada works with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) during Operation Pangea to stop counterfeit and other illegal health products from reaching the Canadian market and to help raise consumer awareness. Health Canada works in partnership with CBSA throughout the year to detect and stop unauthorized health products from entering the country. What you should do Read the information Health Canada has posted on the dangers of buying drugs, natural health products or medical devices over the Internet. Look for health products that have been authorized by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM). Consumers can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database, Licensed Natural Health Products Database or Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL). Avoid buying health products from questionable or untrustworthy websites. Find out more about choosing a safe online pharmacy. If you have questions about whether an online pharmacy is legitimate, contact the pharmacy regulatory authority in your province or territory. Talk to a health care professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, if you have questions or concerns about a health care product. Check Health Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts database for advisories on illegal health products that have been found on the Canadian market. Health Canada maintains lists of unauthorized sexual enhancement products, skin lightening and other skin treatments, workout supplements and poppers that consumers can check regularly for updates. Report adverse events or complaints involving drugs, natural health products or medical devices, including illegal health products, to Health Canada. Additional information Related links INTERPOL news release Counterfeit prescription drugs Buying drugs over the Internet Choosing a safe online pharmacy How to spot an unsafe online store Safe use of body building products Adulteration of natural health products Buying safe sexual enhancement products The safe use of health products for weight loss Alert / recall type: Public Advisory Category: Health products – Drugs, Natural Health Products, Medical Device Published by: Health Canada Également disponible en français SOURCE Health Canada (HC) View original content:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Public Advisory - Buying health products online? Know the risks
OTTAWA, ON, June 25, 2025 /CNW/ - Summary Product: Unauthorized health products, including drugs, natural health products and medical devices, sold on the Internet Issue: Health products – Product safety; Unauthorized product What to do: If you buy health products online, buy them from a reputable website and check that Health Canada has authorized them for sale. Report suspected illegal health products to Health Canada. Affected products Drugs, natural health products, and medical devices that have not been authorized by Health Canada and may pose serious health risks. Issue As part of Operation Pangea XVII—an international effort led by INTERPOL to disrupt the online sale of counterfeit medicines and other illegal health products around the world—Health Canada is reminding consumers to be careful when buying health products—including drugs, natural health products and medical devices—over the Internet. Health products sold online may seem legitimate and safe, but some may not actually be authorized for sale in Canada and could be dangerous to your health. It is important to know how to spot risky health products if you are buying them online. Unauthorized health products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy, and quality and as a result, can pose serious risks to your health. For example, they may be fake, badly stored, mislabeled, expired, or subject to recalls. Unauthorized drugs or natural health products may have no active ingredients, the wrong ingredients, or dangerous additives such as prescription drugs not listed on the label. Unlicensed medical devices might be low quality, may not work, or may be unsafe. During this year's five-month Operation (December 16, 2024, to May 16, 2025), Health Canada inspected 19,193 packages. Of these, it stopped 7,096 (37%) packages from entering the country and seized 539 (3%) additional packages at the border that contained suspected counterfeit or otherwise unauthorized health products, worth an estimated total value of $378,170. The vast majority of the seized products were sexual enhancement medications (69%), followed by supplements such as herbal and dietary supplements (10%), veterinary and antiparasitic drugs (4%), hormones (2%), antibiotics (2%) and weight loss drugs (1%). Health Canada works with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) during Operation Pangea to stop counterfeit and other illegal health products from reaching the Canadian market and to help raise consumer awareness. Health Canada works in partnership with CBSA throughout the year to detect and stop unauthorized health products from entering the country. What you should do Read the information Health Canada has posted on the dangers of buying drugs, natural health products or medical devices over the Internet. Look for health products that have been authorized by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM). Consumers can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database, Licensed Natural Health Products Database or Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL). Avoid buying health products from questionable or untrustworthy websites. Find out more about choosing a safe online pharmacy. If you have questions about whether an online pharmacy is legitimate, contact the pharmacy regulatory authority in your province or territory. Talk to a health care professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, if you have questions or concerns about a health care product. Check Health Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts database for advisories on illegal health products that have been found on the Canadian market. Health Canada maintains lists of unauthorized sexual enhancement products, skin lightening and other skin treatments, workout supplements and poppers that consumers can check regularly for updates. Report adverse events or complaints involving drugs, natural health products or medical devices, including illegal health products, to Health Canada. Additional information Related links INTERPOL news release Counterfeit prescription drugs Buying drugs over the Internet Choosing a safe online pharmacy How to spot an unsafe online store Safe use of body building products Adulteration of natural health products Buying safe sexual enhancement products The safe use of health products for weight loss Alert / recall type: Public Advisory Category: Health products – Drugs, Natural Health Products, Medical Device Published by: Health Canada Également disponible en français SOURCE Health Canada (HC) View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Public Advisory - Buying health products online? Know the risks Français
Summary Product: Unauthorized health products, including drugs, natural health products and medical devices, sold on the Internet Issue: Health products – Product safety; Unauthorized product What to do: If you buy health products online, buy them from a reputable website and check that Health Canada has authorized them for sale. Report suspected illegal health products to Health Canada. Affected products Drugs, natural health products, and medical devices that have not been authorized by Health Canada and may pose serious health risks. Issue As part of Operation Pangea XVII —an international effort led by INTERPOL to disrupt the online sale of counterfeit medicines and other illegal health products around the world—Health Canada is reminding consumers to be careful when buying health products—including drugs, natural health products and medical devices—over the Internet. Health products sold online may seem legitimate and safe, but some may not actually be authorized for sale in Canada and could be dangerous to your health. It is important to know how to spot risky health products if you are buying them online. Unauthorized health products have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, efficacy, and quality and as a result, can pose serious risks to your health. For example, they may be fake, badly stored, mislabeled, expired, or subject to recalls. Unauthorized drugs or natural health products may have no active ingredients, the wrong ingredients, or dangerous additives such as prescription drugs not listed on the label. Unlicensed medical devices might be low quality, may not work, or may be unsafe. During this year's five-month Operation (December 16, 2024, to May 16, 2025), Health Canada inspected 19,193 packages. Of these, it stopped 7,096 (37%) packages from entering the country and seized 539 (3%) additional packages at the border that contained suspected counterfeit or otherwise unauthorized health products, worth an estimated total value of $378,170. The vast majority of the seized products were sexual enhancement medications (69%), followed by supplements such as herbal and dietary supplements (10%), veterinary and antiparasitic drugs (4%), hormones (2%), antibiotics (2%) and weight loss drugs (1%). Health Canada works with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) during Operation Pangea to stop counterfeit and other illegal health products from reaching the Canadian market and to help raise consumer awareness. Health Canada works in partnership with CBSA throughout the year to detect and stop unauthorized health products from entering the country. What you should do Read the information Health Canada has posted on the dangers of buying drugs, natural health products or medical devices over the Internet. Look for health products that have been authorized by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM). Consumers can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database, Licensed Natural Health Products Database or Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL). Avoid buying health products from questionable or untrustworthy websites. Find out more about choosing a safe online pharmacy. If you have questions about whether an online pharmacy is legitimate, contact the pharmacy regulatory authority in your province or territory. Talk to a health care professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, if you have questions or concerns about a health care product. Check Health Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts database for advisories on illegal health products that have been found on the Canadian market. Health Canada maintains lists of unauthorized sexual enhancement products, skin lightening and other skin treatments, workout supplements and poppers that consumers can check regularly for updates. Report adverse events or complaints involving drugs, natural health products or medical devices, including illegal health products, to Health Canada. Related links INTERPOL news release Counterfeit prescription drugs Buying drugs over the Internet Choosing a safe online pharmacy How to spot an unsafe online store Safe use of body building products Adulteration of natural health products Buying safe sexual enhancement products The safe use of health products for weight loss Alert / recall type: Public Advisory Category: Health products – Drugs, Natural Health Products, Medical Device Published by: Health Canada Également disponible en français SOURCE Health Canada (HC) Media Enquiries: Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Enquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866 225-0709, [email protected]
