The Irish Pharmacy Union has issued a warning urging the public not to purchase medicines from websites that are not verified, reports RTE.
The IPU stated that using counterfeit medications can present serious health hazards.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, IPU President Tom Murray said that medicines sold by unverified sources should be a “particular concern” as consumers cannot be sure of their contents, reports RTE.
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He explained that some of these “drugs can contain nothing” while others may include harmful substances.
According to Mr Murray, counterfeit versions of Botox, along with weight loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro, are among the most commonly faked, reports RTE.
He noted that over 1,700 units of counterfeit Botox were confiscated last year by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
He also cautioned that unverified online sellers may provide incorrect or misleading medical advice, reports RTE.
Mr Murray highlighted that Ireland has a tightly regulated pharmaceutical system that “guarantees the efficiency and safety of medicines”.
He stressed that pharmacies are the only safe and reliable place to obtain medicines, reports RTE.
The HPRA reported a 14% rise in the number of illegal medicines seized last year.
In total, more than one million units of illegal medicine were confiscated in 2024 by the HPRA, reports RTE.
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