More than one million units of illegal medicines were seized in Ireland in 2024, with a significant spike in weight-loss related drugs, according to new enforcement data from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).
Among the seized items, authorities flagged a sharp rise in detections of GLP-1 medicines — prescription-only drugs used for diabetes treatment and weight management. These medications, such as those marketed as Ozempic-type products, have gained popularity on the black market due to their effectiveness in weight loss.
In 2024, the HPRA confiscated 1,582 units of GLP-1 products, nearly triple the 568 units seized in 2023 and significantly higher than the 40 units intercepted in 2022.
The regulator warned consumers about the dangers of purchasing medicines from unauthorised sources, particularly online, citing health risks and the potential for counterfeit products.
“Buying medicines sourced online in Ireland carries great risks to health,” the HPRA said in a statement. “There is no way to confirm if these products are genuine, contain the correct ingredients, or have undergone proper safety testing.”
Grainne Power, HPRA Director of Compliance, acknowledged the public’s motivations for seeking unregulated medications — including privacy, cost, and limited access — but strongly discouraged the practice.
“Regardless of the reason, it is never worth taking a risk when it comes to your health,” she said. “We advise anyone who has purchased prescription medicines from unregulated sources to stop using them immediately and contact their healthcare professional if they have concerns.”
The sale and distribution of prescription drugs online in Ireland remains illegal. As part of its enforcement efforts, the HPRA said it disrupted more than 2,500 online promotions in 2024, including websites, e-commerce listings, and social media pages.
Two prosecutions were also initiated during the year — one involving anabolic steroids and another related to the weight loss drug Saxenda.
The most commonly seized illegal drugs remain anabolic steroids, sedatives, and erectile dysfunction products. In 2024, 203,088 units of anabolic steroids were seized, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. Sedatives saw a 15% rise with 146,686 units seized, and erectile dysfunction medicines rose 12% to 119,289 units. Additionally, 113,555 units of analgesics were confiscated.
Power emphasised that those trafficking in illegal medicines “have little or no regard” for consumer safety. “While some websites may appear legitimate, many are simply fronts for unlawful activity, putting consumers at serious risk,” she warned.
