239. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the quantity of falsified and illegal medicines, by dosage unit, detained in the State in each year since 2021; and if she will make a
240. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of detentions of anabolic steroids and other image and performance enhancing drugs by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, by dosage unit, in each year since 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44403/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 247 together.

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 product.

In 2025, the HPRA detained 763,027 dosage units of falsified and other illegal medicines. These dosage units included tablets, capsules and vials. This compares with 1,000,984 dosage units detained in 2024, 874,945 dosage units detained in 2023, 956,263 units detained in 2022 and 1,604,589 units detained in 2021.

Products detained include anabolic steroids, prescription only medicines under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003. These products are 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 2025, HPRA detentions included 94,647 units of anabolic steroids. This compares to 203,088 units of anabolic steroids detained in 2024, 250,922 units of anabolic steroids detained in 2023, 207,220 units of anabolic steroids detained in 2022 and 204,843 units of anabolic steroids detained in 2021.

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