Individual consignment detentions increase threefold (180%)
Over three quarters of a million dosage units of falsified and illegal medicines were detained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in 2025. Announcing its annual enforcement figures today, the HPRA confirms that it detained a total of 763,027 dosage units* which included just under 14,000 individual packages each linked to a separate purchase by a member of the public of illegal or falsified medicines. This represents a threefold (180%) increase of individual consignments since 2024**. A significant proportion of these were presented as GLP‑1 products for personal use.

Announcing the figures, the HPRA reiterated the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines online or through any unauthorised channels. It emphasised that the supply of such products into or within Ireland is illegal and warned that consumers have no assurance regarding the safety, quality, or authenticity of prescription medicines obtained outside the regulated pharmacy setting. The HPRA advises consumers not to take risks with their health and to stop using any prescription medicines obtained from unregulated sources immediately. Anyone with concerns about their health is urged to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

In the 12 months of 2025, the most significant categories of illegal products detained included sedatives (27%), erectile dysfunction medicines (14%), anabolic steroids (12%), diabetes/slimming (9%) and analgesics (5%).  The breakdown is as follows:

• Sedative medicines – 205,270 units detained
• Erectile dysfunction – 103,185 units detained 
• Anabolic steroids – 94,647 units detained 
• Diabetes/Slimming – 65,148 units detained
• Analgesic medicines – 40,669 units detained 

The HPRA highlights the substantial increase in the volume of GLP-1 type medicines detained, rising from 1,582 in 2024 to 48,752. Authorised GLP-1 prescription-only medicines are intended for specific medical purposes such as diabetes or weight management under certain conditions. The majority of the detained products were promoted as containing semaglutide or tirzepatide and were presented primarily as GLP‑1 drops (27,329 items) or microneedle patches (17,170 items).

Despite claims made in the promotion of these products, GLP‑1 drops or patches are not authorised as approved medical treatments and there is no evidence to support their use. Testing conducted by the HPRA on a sample of the transdermal patches detained in 2025 found that they did not contain semaglutide, contrary to the claims on their packaging and promotional materials. The remaining illegal GLP‑1 medicines detained were presented in other forms, including tablets, pens, and vials containing either powder or clear liquid.

Pregabalin is another product that saw a significant increase in detentions in 2025, rising from 23,442 in 2024 to 59,905. This represents the fifth consecutive year‑on‑year increase and reflects a wider global trend in the illegal, non‑medical use of this product.

The HPRA also continues to monitor online activity promoting prescription medicines and other substances and routinely intervenes to disrupt this promotion. Such activity is often linked to the use of substances for aesthetic and body image purposes. In 2025, the HPRA,

• Initiated a prosecution relating to the manufacture and distribution of GLP-1 medicines;
• Shutdown or amended 4,762^ websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages....