I propose to take Questions Nos. 561 and 676 together.
Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, 2003, as amended, it is illegal for prescription medicines to be prescribed by mail order. This includes ordering prescription medicines through internet sites. Under the Irish Medicines Board Acts 1995 and 2006, authorised Irish Medicines Board (IMB) inspectors are empowered to enter any premises and inspect, take copies and remove documents and records which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing are related to illegal internet trade.
The IMB works closely with the Revenue's Customs Service and an Garda Siochana to prevent the illegal sales of prescription only medicines. In addition, the IMB, the Custom Services and the Gardaí work within electronic payment processors and others to target the online purchase of illegal and counterfeit medicines. Under the current legislation banks and credit card companies are obliged to cooperate fully in relation to investigations.
The Deputy may be aware of the recent Operation Pangea V, an international week of action which took place from 25th September to 2nd October 2012 targeting the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines. Operation Pangea annually involves national medicines agencies, international police and customs authorities working closely with electronic payment providers to identify the sale of illegal and counterfeit medicines. The Operation was supported by companies such as Legitscript, Visa, Mastercard and PayPal and resulted in the shutdown of 18,000 websites worldwide which are linked to illicit online pharmacies.