Last year, the Health Products Regulatory Agency (HPRA) seized more than 750,000 illegal medicines.
Figures published by the HPRA confirm that a total of 763,027 food units were seized in 2025.
Almost 14,000 individual packages were found to be associated with separate purchases by members of the public of illegal or counterfeit drugs, a threefold (180%) increase in individual transactions since 2024.
A significant proportion of these are offered as GLP-1 products for personal use, increasing from 1,582 in 2024 to 48,752 in 2025.
Authorized GLP-1 prescriptions are only drugs for specific medical purposes, such as diabetes or weight management under certain conditions.
Common GLP-1 brands include Ozympic, Monjaro, and Saxenda.
Tests carried out by the HPRA in 2025 on a sample of discontinued transdermal patches found that they did not contain semaglutide.
Other samples were found to contain powder or a clear liquid.
Most of the delayed-release GLP-1 products were promoted as containing semaglutide or teresaptide and were presented primarily as GLP-1 drops (27,329 items) or microneedle patches (17,170 items).
In the 12 months of 2025, the most important categories of illegal products seized include anti-intoxicants (27%), erectile dysfunction drugs (14%), anabolic steroids (12%), diabetes/slimming drugs (9%) and pain relievers (5%).
The HRPA has warned the public of the serious health risks associated with online sources of prescription drugs that are illegal.
“Sourcing prescription drugs outside of a registered pharmacy and without proper medical supervision poses a significant risk to your health,” said HPRA Compliance Manager Jennifer McCartan.
She added: “Products obtained online or through other unauthorized channels fall outside the regulated supply chain, which means their quality, safety and authenticity cannot be guaranteed.
“These drugs may be counterfeit, mislabeled, or contain harmful or ineffective ingredients. The use of such products can cause serious adverse effects and represent a real but entirely avoidable risk to public health.”
Pregabalin is another product that saw a significant increase in adoption in 2025, rising from 23,442 to 59,905 in 2024.
This represents the fifth consecutive year of increase and reflects a broader global trend in illegal, non-medical use of this product.
The HPRA said it will initiate follow-up cases where it considers there is a significant risk to public health or where there is persistent non-compliance.
The agency also cooperates and shares intelligence with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies across Europe and the world to prevent the illegal production, import and distribution of medicines, medical devices and cosmetics.
The full list of seized drugs is as follows:
– Sedatives – 205,270 units detained
– Erectile Dysfunction – 103,185 units detained
– Anabolic steroids – 94,647 units were confiscated
– Diabetes/Slimming – 65,148 units detained
– Painkillers – 40,669 units detained
HPRA regulates medicines and devices for the benefit of people and animals.
Products under this transportation include human and veterinary drugs, medical devices, blood and blood components, tissues and cells, organs for transplantation, and cosmetics.
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