Kenneth FoxOver 750,000 units of illegal medicines were detained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in 2025. Announcing the figures, the HPRA reiterated the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines online or through any unauthorised channels. In the 12 months of 2025, the most significant categories of illegal products detained included sedatives (27 per cent), erectile dysfunction medicines (14 per cent), anabolic steroids (12 per cent), diabetes/slimming (9 per cent) and analgesics (5 per cent). The remaining illegal GLP‑1 medicines detained were presented in other forms, including tablets, pens, and vials containing either powder or clear liquid. “Sourcing prescription medicines outside of a registered pharmacy and without appropriate medical supervision poses a significant risk to your health.

Source: The Herald March 24, 2026 15:37 UTC