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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| International drug website shut down after BBC probe | International drug website shut down after BBC probe |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A BBC investigation into the illegal sale of prescription-only medicines over the internet has resulted in an international website being shut down. | A BBC investigation into the illegal sale of prescription-only medicines over the internet has resulted in an international website being shut down. |
| Action was taken after a 26-year-old County Down man took his own life using drugs he had purchased online. | |
| Matthew Davidson had Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. | |
| After attempting suicide several times with medicine prescribed in Northern Ireland, Matthew turned to the internet to buy Tramadol. | After attempting suicide several times with medicine prescribed in Northern Ireland, Matthew turned to the internet to buy Tramadol. |
| It is an extremely strong pain medication that requires a prescription in the UK. | |
| The drug was sent from Egypt, where no prescription is required - just a credit card. For lega reasons we are unable to give details of the website. | |
| The agency that regulates pharmaceutical drugs, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said it was now pursuing an alleged doctor in Egypt. | |
| While the man did nothing illegal, buying prescription-only medicines without a doctor's signature within the UK is a crime. | While the man did nothing illegal, buying prescription-only medicines without a doctor's signature within the UK is a crime. |
| Matthew's father, Mike Davidson, found him after he overdosed. | Matthew's father, Mike Davidson, found him after he overdosed. |
| "We broke down the door and found him lying on the floor," he said. | "We broke down the door and found him lying on the floor," he said. |
| "He was already in a coma, his pupils had dilated and he was breathing very deeply. I realised what had happened and just put my arms around him. | "He was already in a coma, his pupils had dilated and he was breathing very deeply. I realised what had happened and just put my arms around him. |
| "I am just really thankful that I had the opportunity to be with him when he died. It could have been very different if a policeman had come and said he had taken his own life." | "I am just really thankful that I had the opportunity to be with him when he died. It could have been very different if a policeman had come and said he had taken his own life." |
| In their home, near Hillsborough, Mike and his wife, Lynore, described how their son had struggled with depression. | |
| Cash-on-delivery | Cash-on-delivery |
| The family, who are originally from South Africa, came to live here in 2004. It was only then, when Matthew was 19, that he was diagnosed with Asperger's. | The family, who are originally from South Africa, came to live here in 2004. It was only then, when Matthew was 19, that he was diagnosed with Asperger's. |
| He had been receiving help from a psychologist based at his local health trust. But after that treatment stopped, his condition became gradually worse. | He had been receiving help from a psychologist based at his local health trust. But after that treatment stopped, his condition became gradually worse. |
| Lynore Davidson said that while her son had a lot of problems, he was a good person. | Lynore Davidson said that while her son had a lot of problems, he was a good person. |
| "He was shy, anxious and didn't like change," she said. | "He was shy, anxious and didn't like change," she said. |
| "He didn't like crowds or mixing with new people. He meant everything to me, I loved him more than anything else, we just miss him every day." | "He didn't like crowds or mixing with new people. He meant everything to me, I loved him more than anything else, we just miss him every day." |
| The family want to highlight what they describe as a major failing in our legislation. | The family want to highlight what they describe as a major failing in our legislation. |
| Currently, internet companies registered outside the country can sell and deliver medicine to addresses in the UK. This includes medicine that normally requires a prescription. | |
| These medicines can include morphine-based drugs that can kill if taken incorrectly. | |
| At no time was Matthew asked by the alleged doctor in Egypt to complete a health questionnaire, according to correspondence seen by the BBC. | At no time was Matthew asked by the alleged doctor in Egypt to complete a health questionnaire, according to correspondence seen by the BBC. |
| Instead, he was asked for his credit card details and advised that cash was accepted on delivery. The package arrived at Matthew's door within three days. | Instead, he was asked for his credit card details and advised that cash was accepted on delivery. The package arrived at Matthew's door within three days. |
| According to his father, purchasing powerful and dangerous drugs is too easy. | According to his father, purchasing powerful and dangerous drugs is too easy. |
| "If you know what you want and you have the website, credit card and a post code, it can be delivered within days. It's as easy as buying a book from Amazon," he said. | "If you know what you want and you have the website, credit card and a post code, it can be delivered within days. It's as easy as buying a book from Amazon," he said. |
| The BBC has tracked down the Egyptian company that sent the drugs. We have attempted to contact the alleged doctor, but no-one has returned our calls or e-mails. We have also contacted the company involved and have had no response. | |
| We brought this information to the MHRA. The doctor, who at this stage cannot be named for legal reasons, is known to them. Their head of intelligence is Nimo Ahmed. | We brought this information to the MHRA. The doctor, who at this stage cannot be named for legal reasons, is known to them. Their head of intelligence is Nimo Ahmed. |
| "We've since identified four more websites, one of which was brought to our attention by BBC Northern Ireland," he said. | "We've since identified four more websites, one of which was brought to our attention by BBC Northern Ireland," he said. |
| "We are now pursuing these websites and closing them down. We have also contacted the Egyptian authorities, and highlighted what this gentleman is doing is illegal in the UK. | "We are now pursuing these websites and closing them down. We have also contacted the Egyptian authorities, and highlighted what this gentleman is doing is illegal in the UK. |
| Autopsy | Autopsy |
| "We've told them that it led to the tragic death of this young man. We have asked the Egyptian authorities to consider taking action." | "We've told them that it led to the tragic death of this young man. We have asked the Egyptian authorities to consider taking action." |
| Mr Ahmed explained there is a loophole in UK legislation that allows this practice to continue. | |
| "It is very difficult to police. While prescription-only medicine can only be obtained in the UK with a prescription, if you go on the internet you can access lots of controlled drugs quite easily," he said. | "It is very difficult to police. While prescription-only medicine can only be obtained in the UK with a prescription, if you go on the internet you can access lots of controlled drugs quite easily," he said. |
| "It needs to be stopped and we are doing our best to highlight to the public, the dangers involved. Some of these drugs are fake and could kill. " | "It needs to be stopped and we are doing our best to highlight to the public, the dangers involved. Some of these drugs are fake and could kill. " |
| The Davidsons have written to 10 Downing Street and Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley, appealing for help. | The Davidsons have written to 10 Downing Street and Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley, appealing for help. |
| While both conveyed their condolences, they said current legislation prevents them from taking action. | While both conveyed their condolences, they said current legislation prevents them from taking action. |
| The family's MP is Jeffrey Donaldson. | The family's MP is Jeffrey Donaldson. |
| "The government needs to recognise this is a problem and it's a matter we need to be dealing with," he said. | |
| "Mr Cameron talks about the big society. Well the big society ought to be dealing with this issue and protecting the most vulnerable in our society." | |
| Matthew Davidson's autopsy concluded he was poisoned by Tramadol. | Matthew Davidson's autopsy concluded he was poisoned by Tramadol. |
| Meanwhile, his family say they will continue with their campaign. | Meanwhile, his family say they will continue with their campaign. |