In the first semester of 2024, there’s been a significant uptick in seized counterfeit or unlawful medicines compared to 2023, with seize count surpassing 700,000. The clandestine surge in circulation was announced by Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on Wednesday. The authority confiscated 706,881 dosage units of counterfeit and illegal medicines from January to June 2024, a sheer increase from the 551,582 units seized in the same duration last year.
The HPRA has warned the public about the grave health hazards associated with buying prescription drugs from unofficial online vendors. The authority declared that these illegal prescriptions purchased outside of accredited pharmacies lack assurances of safety and quality.
Mostly unlawful goods apprehended this year include anabolic steroids (23 per cent), analgesics – pain relievers (14 per cent), sedatives (11 per cent), and medicines for erectile dysfunction (10 per cent).
To enforce regulatory measures, HPRA is supervising the online activity promoting prescription drugs and other substances. The authority promised routine interventions to hinder such promotions.
In 2024, HPRA has so far prompted amendments or closures for 1,603 e-commerce listings or social media pages. Additionally, one lawsuit has been filed, and four voluntary official warnings have been issued.
Gráinne Power, HPRA’s compliance director, expressed concern over consumers’ alarming risk-taking behaviour, by resorting to unofficial online platforms and sellers for procuring illegal medicines. These also include products for aesthetic and body image purposes.
She emphasised, “We believe young men in particular may be turning to anabolic steroids for body enhancement… Anabolic steroids can lead to severe physical and mental health problems”. Potential physical repercussions can range from heart failure, liver complications, kidney damage, to fertility issues.
The HPRA also highlighted a noticeable increase in apprehensions related to Semaglutide, a prescribed drug, intended especially for specific medical uses like diabetes or weight control under particular conditions.
Albeit the overall number of detained units being comparatively less than other products, for the first six months of 2024, the HPRA has rounded up nearly three times the unlawful units of Semaglutide that were confiscated last year.