Over 1 million units of illegal medicines detained by the HPRA in 2024

Grainne Power, HPRA Director of Compliance

Over one million units of illegal medicines were detained by the HPRA in 2024, marking a 14% increase compared to numbers detained in 2023. Announcing its annual enforcement data, the HPRA confirmed that it detained 1,000,984 dosage units* of falsified and other illegal medicines in 2024. The data highlights that anabolic steroids, sedatives and erectile dysfunction products are consistently the most detained categories of medicines year on year.

The HPRA continues to encourage consumers to make informed and safe choices by purchasing prescription medicines only from authorised sources, ensuring their safety and quality.

When prescription medicines are bought on-line 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 HPRA states that 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 via the internet.

The HPRA detention figures for 2024 include:     

• Anabolic steroids - 203,088 units detained (20%^)
• Sedative medicines - 146,686 units detained (15%)
• Erectile dysfunction - 119,289 units detained (12%)
• Analgesic medicines - 113,555 units detained (11%)

The HPRA also noted an upward trend in detentions of GLP-1 products including, predominantly, semaglutide and liraglutide. While overall numbers remain low, 1,582 units of GLP-1 products were detained in 2024 compared to 568 units in 2023 and just 40 units in 2022.    

As part of its enforcement remit, the HPRA conducts ongoing monitoring to identify illegal online activity promoting prescription medicines and other substances to consumers. It routinely intervenes to disrupt online promotions through website closure and social media page removals. The HPRA also initiates prosecution cases where it considers that there is a significant risk to public health or where there are persistent non-compliances. In 2024, the HPRA undertook several significant enforcement actions, including: 

• Two prosecution cases initiated, one relating to the importation or distribution of anabolic steroids and one relating to the importation or distribution of the weight loss product Saxenda; 
• 2,553 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages amended or shutdown. 

Grainne Power, Director of Compliance with the HPRA, says the 2024 data continues to highlight that individuals are putting their health at risk by attempting to purchase prescription medicines from unauthorised suppliers: 

"While purchasing on-line 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. 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.  

“We understand that there are many reasons why members of the public seek out these illegally supplied products, such as privacy, ease of access, cost, or the belief that their doctor might not deem it appropriate medical use. However, regardless of the reason, it is never worth taking a risk when it comes to your health. We advise anyone who has purchased prescription medicines from unregulated sources to stop using them immediately and to contact their healthcare professional if they have any concerns about their health,” she concluded. 

The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service. There continues to be significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. The HPRA also supports prosecutions brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the illegal supply of medicines. Additionally, the HPRA co-operates and shares intelligence with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies across Europe and worldwide to prevent the illegal manufacture, importation and distribution of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics. 

The HPRA welcomes reports of suspicious activities linked to the supply of medicines and other health products. Anyone can report in confidence to the HPRA at  reportacase@hpra.ie or at 01 6343871. 

ENDS

For further information

Káno Communications  (01) 679 8600           

Siobhán Molloy / Sinead Brassil  (086) 817 5066 / (086) 057 9298

Notes to editors

• The HPRA has published information on its website about the dangers of buying prescription medicines online.  
• In 2023 and 2024, the HPRA ran a digital information and advertising campaign, highlighting the risks of buying prescription medicines online. 
• For more information on the specific dangers of anabolic steroid use, please visit www.zerogains.ie. 

Yearly detention figures

Units detained: Special interest products

*Dosage units = individual tablets, capsules, vials, etc. 

^As a percent of total detentions in 2024