OLAF leads action against counterfeit oncological medicines under Europol operation Shield

10/12/2020

Europol’s operation Shield, a global effort to target trafficking of counterfeit and misused medicines and doping substances, took place between March and September 2020. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) participated in the operation along with a total 27 countries (19 EU Member States and 8 third countries).

OLAF took part in operation Shield by leading a targeted action against counterfeit and substandard oncological medicines and hormonal substances. OLAF has long experience in protecting the health and safety of Europeans by fighting the trafficking of counterfeit products of different kinds.

‘’We are more than glad that we could lend our expertise. Trafficking at the expense of cancer patients is not only illegal – it is abhorrent and saddening’’, commented OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä.

The targeted action discovered 58 cases of various irregularities with illicit and substandard oncological medicines, hormonal substances and food supplements. OLAF facilitated the cooperation and activities of 13 EU Member States that took part in it – Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

‘’This is not the first time we join forces with Europol and with national authorities and it certainly is not the last – case after case, we see how we all best protect Europeans when we work together’’, the OLAF Director-General added.

More information on operation Shield is available in Europol’s press release.