208. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of seizures of anabolic steroids and other image and performance enhancing drugs made by An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service in each year since 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44404/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the agency with responsibility for the regulation of medicines in Ireland and have an enforcement role with regard to falsified and other illegal medicines. The HPRA uses a range of enforcement powers to tackle this activity including detaining the product.

There continues to be significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service. The HPRA also 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.

Anabolic steroids are prescription only medicines under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003. These products may being sourced in particular by individuals for body enhancement who are unaware of the serious health complications posed by these products. Anabolic steroids can cause serious physical and psychological health issues. The potential physical side effects include heart failure, liver issues, kidney damage, and infertility.

In this context, the HPRA has continuously warned of the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines online or through any unauthorised channels. It has 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.

The HPRA reports the following (please note that these figures relate to seizures by Revenue’s Customs Service. The HPRA does not have access to An Garda Síochána data):