1,401 units of illegal semaglutide and other GLP-1 agonists have been detained during 2024, with a huge increase in fake or illegal versions of these medications being sold online
In light of its increasing detention of illegal products, the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has warned the public to only source GLP-1 medicines, including semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide, from a registered pharmacy using a valid prescription from their healthcare professional. As a result of its enforcement work in this area, the HPRA has detained some 1,401 units of illegal GLP-1 products in 2024 to date. This compares to a total of 568 units in 2023, and just 40 units in 2022.
The HPRA states that there can be no guarantees as to what substances these online products actually contain and taking them poses a significant risk to consumers’ health. Products detained come in various forms including tablets and pens presented as both branded and generic versions. A large quantity of vials containing powder or liquid have also been detained, some of which were found in non-healthcare settings, such as those offering beauty and cosmetic treatments. The warning relates to GLP-1 medicines that include semaglutide products, such as Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, liraglutide products such as Saxenda and Victoza, and the tirzepatide product, Mounjaro.
Unscrupulous sellers
The HPRA states it is particularly concerned by the increase in unscrupulous and unauthorised sellers promoting illegal semaglutide and other GLP-1 products via online sources. It reiterates its regular warning of the serious health risks associated with sourcing any prescription medicine online and is urging the public to be aware of an increasing presence of illegal versions of these medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda and Mounjaro.
Despite how these products are promoted, presented and packaged, consumers have no way of knowing whether they are authorised medicines or if they have been subjected to any safety or quality assessments.
Other markets are also seeing similar activity in these illegal products and the HPRA is in ongoing contact with its counterparts in Europe. Related warnings have been issued across Europe, in the UK, US and Australia.
As part of its cyber enforcement activities, the HPRA routinely monitors and takes action against online sites connected to the advertising, sale and/or supply of prescription medicines into Ireland. In 2023, 172 URLs linked to GLP-1 products were removed or amended. These included e-commerce listings, social media profiles/pages, and websites. This has more than doubled in 2024 (up to the end of October), with a further 431 URLs takedowns and amendments actioned to date. The HPRA also carries out regular visits to non-healthcare settings such as those offering beauty and cosmetic treatments.
In recent months, unannounced visits to such settings have resulted in detentions of illegal GLP-1 type products typically presented as weight loss aids. Some of these detentions, consisting of a white powder in a vial, bear no resemblance to any authorised version of these medicines.
‘Alarming’
Grainne Power, Director of Compliance, HPRA, stresses the significant risks associated with buying prescription-only products from unverified and unregulated sources that are solely interested in financial gain and have no regard for the safety of patients.
“It’s alarming to see consumers willing to take such dangerous risks to their health by purchasing illegal medicines online and from unregulated sources. We appeal to the public not to purchase these products online, including those marketed as Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, Saxenda or Mounjaro. The semaglutide, liraglutide and other GLP-1 products we have detained — such as unauthorised tablets, pens and vials containing powder — are all illegal prescription medicines. We have no information about their sources, manufacturing conditions, or safety. No authorised version of semaglutide exists in powder form, nor are there any authorised generic versions. Any such products promoted online are likely fake and potentially dangerous to those who take them.”
The HPRA collaborates closely with An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service to combat the illegal supply of health products in Ireland. This partnership involves significant inter-agency efforts to prevent the unauthorised importation and distribution of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics. Additionally, the HPRA shares intelligence with regulatory and law enforcement agencies globally to curb the illegal manufacture and distribution of these products.
