Swissmedic mounts campaigns against illegal imports

Switzerland’s medicines regulator, Swissmedic, has launched an awareness campaign to combat a rise in illegal imports in the country.

As part of the campaign, Swissmedic specialists have trained  pharmacists on how to recognise counterfeit medicines.

In recent years, according to the agency, Switzerland has seen a rise in the number of seizures of about 40 per cent a year and it is estimated that the number of seized drug shipments will be over 600 by the end of 2008.

Swissmedic estimates that at least 50 000 drug shipments a year are imported illegally into the country.