The UK’s medicines and medical devices regulator is investigating 14 cases of fake or unlicensed products advertised to treat or prevent COVID-19.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it was investigating fake self-testing kits, ‘miracle cures’, ‘antiviral misting sprays’, and unlicensed medicines sold through unauthorised websites.
Lynda Scammell, MHRA Enforcement Official, warned: “Don’t be fooled by online offers for medical products to help prevent or treat COVID-19. There is no medicine licensed specifically to treat or prevent COVID-19, therefore any claiming to do so are not authorised and have not undergone regulatory approvals required for sale on the UK market. We cannot guarantee the safety or quality of the product and this poses a risk to your health.”
In a statement on Saturday (April 4), the agency noted that the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has also seen reports from those who have lost money trying to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) or self-testing kits from fraudulent websites.
Nine domain names and social media accounts that were selling fake or unauthorised COVID-19 products have so far been disabled by the MHRA.
