Cork pharmacist warns against buying medication online

A Cork-based pharmacist has backed a warning issued by the Irish Pharmacists Union (IPU) as a “worrying” up-trend in the purchase of unregulated medicine online has emerged.

A recent study, commissioned by the IPU, revealed that 32% of people now look up healthcare-related information online.

Recently-published figures from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) showed a 14% increase in the seizure of illegal medicines in the past year, with fake weight-loss drugs more than doubling, jumping from 568 units in 2023 to 1,582 in 2024.

Caitriona O’Riordan, owner of O’Riordan’s Pharmacy in Enniskeane, told The Echo that the warning issued by the IPU showcases how online advertising of medicine, specifically weight-loss drugs, can lead to individuals taking “dangerous risks”.

“The purchase of fake weight-loss drugs has doubled from 2023 to 2024, it’s a very worrying sign,” said Ms O’Riordan.

“We work really hard at advertising to the public that you shouldn’t buy drugs or medicines online, because it’s illegal.

“They’re likely to be counterfeit, there’s no way of telling that they’re genuine. They may not have the correct active ingredient, they may not be tested on humans, and they may not have any active ingredients at all.

“Best case scenario, it’s going to be a complete waste of money, worst case scenario, it could be really dangerous,” she added. “This is why your local pharmacist or GP is better positioned to know whether it is safe or not.

“If you look at something once online, you’re bombarded with advertising, or people telling you how great something is — which is fine, becuase it might just provoke a conversation with your GP or pharmacist, but on the other hand, it might lead you to dubious websites where you can purchase the drug cheaply, and without a prescription.

“There are always people out there who are watching for loopholes, looking to make money — there is a black market for everything.

“For people out there buying these drugs, I would say please don’t take dangerous risks with your health – you don’t know what you’re getting, or who you’re getting it from.

“Only qualified healthcare professionals can prescribe in Ireland and you should only get prescriptions supplied from your local pharmacy because we are highly regulated.”