Russia approves tougher penalties for fake meds

Russia’s parliament has approved a bill that will toughen up punishments for online trafficking in falsified and substandard drugs.

The legislation introduces higher fines ranging from 75,000 to 200,000 rubles ($930 to $2,500) for individuals selling illegal medicines or biologically-active ingredients, and from 2m to 6m rubles for the same offences if committed by “officials and sole entrepreneurs,” reports RAPSI.

Small business can also have their operations suspended for up to 90 days, according to the news agency, which notes that for larger organizations the penalties include correctional labour for 4 to 5 years, imprisonment for 4 to 6 years, and fines up to 2.5m rubles or equal to the offenders’ earnings over 1 to 2 years.