To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2007, Official Report, column 320W, on prescription drugs: internet, how many prosecutions for the sale of prescription only medicines over the internet (a) not under the supervision of a pharmacist and (b) without a prescription from a prescriber have been brought in each of the last three years. (142449)

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the regulation and control of medicines on the United Kingdom market.

The MHRA investigates the sale and supply of medicines available through the internet as part of its statutory enforcement role. Since April 2005 there have been eight prosecutions involving prescription only and unlicensed medicines being offered for sale via the internet.