Cancer, diabetes, antidepressants... The black market for medicine has resurfaced!

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

A new scandal has been added to those threatening human health through the illegal sale of medicine on social media.

The black market for medicine, which 12punto has previously brought to the agenda, has re-emerged through social media applications.

In channels opened on Telegram and Instagram, photos of numerous drugs are being shared and offered for sale.

There is a Russian sentence in the information section of the group created. When translated into Turkish, it reads:

"Here you can find and buy the necessary medicines, vitamins, and everything related to medicine. Our company is located in Turkey (Antalya). Delivery in Antalya, shipping to other cities and CIS countries."

Although the statement says, "Our company is located in Antalya," the name of the alleged "company" or any logo is not shared. The fact that all the descriptions and posts are in Russian suggests the existence of an illegal company, if one exists at all.

HPV VACCINE, CANCER, HEART, DIABETES MEDICINES...

The category of drugs sold is quite broad. Everything from the HPV vaccine, for which a large segment of the population in Turkey is fighting to make free, to cancer drugs with retail prices exceeding 100 thousand liras can be found.

For example, the description section of the drug named Gardasil reads as follows:

"Gardasil is a vaccine designed to build immunity against various HPV types, primarily types 16 and 18. The vaccine also provides immunity against types 6 and 11 of the virus that causes genital warts in the genital and anal regions."

Among the drugs sold are those that the psychiatry department sells only with a red prescription. These drugs, which must be used under doctor supervision, can be purchased from these groups in exchange for money.

For example, the description of Redepra, one of the drugs sold, states the following:

"Depressive states (such as anhedonia, psychomotor retardation, insomnia, early awakening, weight loss, loss of interest in life, suicidal thoughts, and mood swings)."

Experts frequently warn about the use of medicine. Drugs that are not dosed correctly or are used unconsciously by an individual can cause much more serious problems. The scale of the danger is much greater, especially with drugs used for 'severe' diseases sold in these groups.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHO IS BUYING OR SELLING...

It is completely unclear who manages these groups, how they access these drugs in bulk, or who they sell them to and for how much. Moreover, there is also the possibility that the drugs are counterfeit, meaning they lack official seals.

IT IS A CRIME UNDER THE LAW!

Selling prescription drugs, which must be strictly monitored by both the state and the relevant branch doctor, via social media clearly constitutes a crime. Regarding the subject, Article 24 of the Constitution's Law No. 6197 on Pharmacists and Pharmacies (Amended: 2/1/2014-6514/36 art.) states the following:

“Wholesale of poisonous and effective substances and medicines cannot be made from pharmacies, and pharmacies cannot participate in tenders. The exchange of medicines between pharmacies is not considered wholesale; it is mandatory to report to the drug tracking system in transactions such as the sale of medicines, their return to the pharmaceutical warehouse from which they were purchased or to other warehouses in case of force majeure, their exchange between pharmacies, and the destruction of those that have expired or deteriorated.

Medicines cannot be sold on the internet or any other electronic environment. No website can be opened on behalf of pharmacy pharmacists and pharmacies. Pharmacists cannot cooperate openly or secretly with institutions, physicians, other health institutions and organizations, or third parties in any way to have prescriptions sent to them; they cannot employ intermediaries, courier personnel, or similar directing personnel; they cannot collect or direct prescriptions; and they cannot accept prescriptions that come through these ways.

In case of detection of these acts, an administrative fine of five thousand Turkish Liras to fifty thousand Turkish Liras is imposed on the pharmacist and the intermediary person or organization. In case of repetition of the acts, the administrative fine to be imposed is applied as twice the previously imposed fine.”