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Coventry acne drug online seller investigated | Coventry acne drug online seller investigated |
(about 1 month later) | |
Government regulators are investigating after a Coventry-registered company sold a prescription-only acne medication online. | Government regulators are investigating after a Coventry-registered company sold a prescription-only acne medication online. |
The Turkey-based firm said it had sold Roaccutane in the UK for 10 years. | The Turkey-based firm said it had sold Roaccutane in the UK for 10 years. |
Campaigners have called for more research into the drug but regulators say its safety is kept under review. | Campaigners have called for more research into the drug but regulators say its safety is kept under review. |
Cem Tural, who runs the company, said he had "no idea" it was illegal to sell the drug without a prescription in the UK and would withdraw the stock. | Cem Tural, who runs the company, said he had "no idea" it was illegal to sell the drug without a prescription in the UK and would withdraw the stock. |
'Very concerned' | |
BBC reporters saw the drug being advertised online and ordered it from the company, which is registered in Coventry city centre. | BBC reporters saw the drug being advertised online and ordered it from the company, which is registered in Coventry city centre. |
When contacted about the sale, Mr Tural said: "I didn't know until you told me it was illegal. | When contacted about the sale, Mr Tural said: "I didn't know until you told me it was illegal. |
"I will take measures for the UK and if l find the same concerns [in other countries] we will take it off our website altogether." | "I will take measures for the UK and if l find the same concerns [in other countries] we will take it off our website altogether." |
Parents whose children committed suicide while taking, or after taking, Roaccutane have lobbied MPs to ban the drug. | Parents whose children committed suicide while taking, or after taking, Roaccutane have lobbied MPs to ban the drug. |
However manufacturer Roche said "no causal link" had been established between Roaccutane and either depression or suicide. | However manufacturer Roche said "no causal link" had been established between Roaccutane and either depression or suicide. |
It confirmed the tablets sold by the company were genuine, but added: "We recommend against anyone purchasing from a potentially unreliable source and support the guidance from the MHRA… about the purchase of medicines over the internet". | It confirmed the tablets sold by the company were genuine, but added: "We recommend against anyone purchasing from a potentially unreliable source and support the guidance from the MHRA… about the purchase of medicines over the internet". |
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it would investigate the online retailer. | The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it would investigate the online retailer. |
Lynda Scammell, senior enforcement advisor, said: "The MHRA... are very concerned about the sale of certain goods over the internet. | Lynda Scammell, senior enforcement advisor, said: "The MHRA... are very concerned about the sale of certain goods over the internet. |
"There are strict regulatory controls of medicines and the supplies of medicine and a medicine like Roaccutane not only needs a prescription, it needs a prescription by a consultant dermatologist. | "There are strict regulatory controls of medicines and the supplies of medicine and a medicine like Roaccutane not only needs a prescription, it needs a prescription by a consultant dermatologist. |
"Any supply of that medicine without a prescription is a criminal offence in the United Kingdom." | "Any supply of that medicine without a prescription is a criminal offence in the United Kingdom." |
Inside Out is broadcast on BBC One West Midlands on Monday, 23 March at 19:30 GMT and nationwide on the iPlayer for 30 days thereafter. | Inside Out is broadcast on BBC One West Midlands on Monday, 23 March at 19:30 GMT and nationwide on the iPlayer for 30 days thereafter. |