Giant UK Fake Veterinary Pharmacy Shut Down: Impacts Food Supply Says Authorities

A British couple pleaded guilty to being the ringleaders in a black market prescription-only medicine business that imported veterinary medicine to Britain through illegal channels. Serving over 4,000 customers, the products were distributed to British farms, stables, kennels and vet surgeries. Concerns were raised over harmful residues in the food chain and unnecessary antibiotic resistance.

Thin cow

““Incorrect use of medication of unknown origin and dubious quality
compromises animal health and welfare, increases
the risk of harmful residues in the food chain
and raises the specter of unnecessary antibiotic resistance.”

Image courtesy of Ed.ward via Flickr.

A British couple pleaded guilty to being the ringleaders in a black market prescription-only medicine business that imported veterinary medicine to Britain through illegal channels. Serving over 4,000 customers, the products were distributed to British farms, stables, kennels and vet surgeries. Concerns were raised over harmful residues in the food chain and unnecessary antibiotic resistance.

Between January 2004 and November 2010, Ronald Meddes, 73, and his wife Regine Lansley, 62, ran a series of businesses that sold unlicensed medicines to UK customers by telephone, fax, and internet, reported the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Meddes and Lansley had warehouses for spurious medicine imported from unidentified locations in Belgium and Kent. They illegally sold non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anabolic steroids, antibiotics, sedatives, and pain control treatments for a variety of species including horses, cows, sheep, pigs and household pets.

Their illegal pharmacy had the largest market share in the United Kingdom, even over legitimate products, reported the Daily Mail, and just one of its delivery companies transported 8.5 tons of black-market drugs over two years into the UK. The couple evaded EU regulations by lying that the medicines were for export to Russia only.

Steve Dean, Chief Executive of the Government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), which prosecuted the case, said, “This was a significant commercial enterprise which seriously attacked the principle of safe and effective veterinary medicines.

“Incorrect use of medication of unknown origin and dubious quality compromises animal health and welfare, increases the risk of harmful residues in the food chain and raises the specter of unnecessary antibiotic resistance.”

Said DEFRA, “To be imported and sold for use in the UK all veterinary medicines must be authorized to ensure they are safe and effective, and many must be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon. Even where medicines are authorized they must be distributed and sold through licensed outlets where trained staff are available to provide the necessary advice on safe use.”

DEFRA began investigating in 2006 after small seizures of illegal medicines in other investigations were linked back to a single source, and then large seizures were made in several cities. French authorities seized 20 tons of medicines from Lansley and Meddes’ property, as well as computer accounts and customer details. Records showed profits from 2004 to 2007 to be almost $10 million.

The conspirators then re-established business in Belgium, but were raided by Belgian authorities in October 2008 who revealed more large quantities of illegal veterinary medicine. Even after that their business prospered until it was shut down by the authorities in November 2010.

By S. Imber