Russian Police Arrest Cancer Drug Counterfeiters

The Russian police have recently arrested two members of a criminal group that has reportedly sold USD 15.4 million (EUR 12.6 million) worth of counterfeit cancer drugs in Russia and caused damages exceeding USD 18.2 million (EUR 14.9 million) to pharmaceutical companies. They face up to ten years in prison if found guilty.

The group operated in the Rostov region, southwestern Russia, for two years. They reportedly imported drugs past their expiration dates from Ukraine to the city of Shakhty, Rostov region, where they re-packed them. They also made some of the drugs themselves and charged from USD 154 (EUR 126) to USD 617 (EUR 504) for each ampoule.

Police believe the criminal group sold drugs to pharmacies and hospitals in the capital of Moscow, the city of Rostov-on-Don in the Rostov region and other Russian cities.

In a separate development, 12 people in Moscow have also been recently charged with selling counterfeit cancer medicine.

In light of the recent event in the Rostov region, Head of the State Duma’s Economic Security and Anti-Corruption Committee Irina Yarovaya said that the fraud and trademark infringement charges brought against the two arrested individuals diminish the gravity of the crime, and that they should be charged with attempted murder.

According to Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI), Russia’s Criminal Code provides a possibility of charging counterfeit medicine producers and distributors with attempted murder.

Prepared by: Jelena Jankovic

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Source: Russian International News Agency (RIA Novosti); Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI)