Over 700,000 units of illegal medicines detained in the first six months of 2024

Ellen O'Donoghue

Over 700,000 units of illegal medicines were detained in the first six months of 2024, according to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

They reported that there has been a sharp increase in the volume of illegal medicines detained in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

The HPRA’s enforcement section detained 706,881 dosage units of falsified and illegal medicines between January and June 2024, compared to 551,582 units for the same period last year.

The HPRA cautioned the public of the serious health risks posed by prescription medicines being purchased from unauthorised sources. It stated that there is no guarantee as to the safety or quality of illegal prescription medicines purchased outside the regulated pharmacy setting.

In the first six months of 2024, the most significant categories of illegal products detained included anabolic steroids with 160,134 units detained, analgesic medicines with 96,481 units detained, sedative medicines with 80,773 unites detained, and erectile dysfunction medicines, with 72,555 units detained.

Also in the first six months of 2024, the HPRA shut down 1,603 e-commerce listings and/or social media pages, initiated one prosecution and issued four voluntary formal cautions.

Gráinne Power, director of compliance at the HPRA noted the significant increase in 2024 data and the apparent willingness of many people to seek access to unregulated products which may pose significant risks to their health.

It's alarming to see consumers willing to take risks by purchasing illegal medicines online and from unregulated sources and this includes products for cosmetic and body image purposes,” Ms Power said.

“One such example is the amount of illegal anabolic steroids detained. We believe young men, in particular, may be sourcing anabolic steroids for body enhancement while being unaware of the serious health complications posed by these products.

“Anabolic steroids can cause serious physical and psychological health issues. The potential physical side effects alone include heart failure, liver issues, kidney damage, and infertility,” she said.

There was also a notable rise in detentions of Semaglutide, a prescription medication intended for specific medical purposes such as diabetes or weight management under certain conditions.

“While overall the numbers detained are small in comparison to other products, we have already, in the first six months of 2024, detained almost triple the volume of illegal units of Semaglutide detained last year,” Ms Power said.

In 2023, there were 286 units of Semaglutide detained, but in the first six months of 2024 alone, 783 units were detained.

“When consumers acquire any medicinal substances outside the regulated supply chain, they forego any assurance of safety, quality, or effectiveness. Some of these substances might not be authorised by any global health authority, while others may be counterfeit or falsified despite appearing legitimate,” Ms Power added.

“We strongly advise anyone who has bought prescription medications from unauthorised sources to cease using them immediately and to consult their healthcare provider with any concerns about their well-being."