Public warned not take a ‘risk with health’ as anabolic steroids, anti-impotence medicines and weight-loss jabs high on the list
Over one million units of illegal medicines were seized by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) last year, marking a 14pc increase compared to numbers seized in 2023.
The HPRA warned consumers to make informed and safe choices by purchasing prescription medicines only from authorised sources, ensuring their safety and quality.
It said that when prescription medicines are bought online in Ireland there is no way of knowing for certain if the product is genuine, if it contains the right active ingredient or if it has been tested and approved for human use.
The watchdog said the supply of online prescription medicines into and within Ireland is illegal, and that consumers are taking a risk with their health if they seek to buy outside of the regulated pharmacy setting or through the internet.
It detained 203,088 units of anabolic steroids, 146,866 units of sedative drugs, 119,289 units of erectile dysfunction medicines and 113,555 analgesic drugs that are used to treat pain.
It said it also noted an upward trend in the use of weight-loss jabs including, predominantly, semaglutide – the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy – and also liraglutide, which is found in Saxenda.
The regulator said that while overall numbers remain low, 1,582 units of these products were detained last year, compared to 568 units in 2023 and just 40 units in 2022.
The HPRA said it initiates prosecutions where it believes there is a significant risk to public health or where there are persistent non-compliances.
Last year two prosecution cases were triggered, one relating to the importation or distribution of anabolic steroids and another for the importation or distribution of the weight loss product Saxenda.
A total of 2,553 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages were amended or shut down.
Grainne Power, director of compliance with the HPRA, said the 2024 data continues to show that people are putting their health at risk by attempting to purchase prescription medicines from unauthorised suppliers.
“While purchasing online is second nature for many of us, when it comes to prescription medicines, people need to ensure that the product is prescribed by a healthcare professional and sourced from a local pharmacy,” Ms Power said.
“Your pharmacy has sourced medicines from authorised sources for your protection and is an expert in their use. Using these prescription medicines without medical supervision or from an unregulated source leaves people unprotected.
“The seizure of over one million dosage units of illegal medicines last year highlights the persistent extent of the threats posed by falsified and unauthorised prescription medicines. Our investigations and prosecutions have shown that those profiting from illegally supplied medicines have little or no regard for the health and safety of those who use them.
“While some websites may appear legitimate, many are simply fronts for unlawful activity, putting consumers at serious risk.
“In addition to our enforcement efforts, which target promotion and supply, it is also essential that we continue our efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of purchasing prescription medicines from unregulated sources. Increasing awareness of these risks to reduce demand is critically important.”
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