Local HPRA official warns of risks sourcing meds online

Using prescription medicines sourced outside of a registered pharmacy can result in adverse effects and is a real, but avoidable, danger, Clonmellon pharmacist Jennifer McCartan warns.

Jennifer is compliance manager with the Health Products Regulatory Authority, which detained more than 750,000 dosage units of falsified and illegal medicines last year, among them an almost threefold (180 percent) increase in slimming drugs.

Jennifer is daughter of Ursula and the late Tom McCartan. She grew up at Rathcastle, Rathconrath, and lives with her husband Niall Carson and their three children in Clonmellon.

Since the figures were announced, Jennifer has featured on national television and radio, warning of the risks of purchasing prescription medicines from unauthorised suppliers.

Why do people take the risk?: “For many it is the knowledge or expectation that a healthcare professional may not consider these products clinically appropriate, while others may be motivated by privacy concerns, ease of access or perceived cost savings,” Ms McCartan said.

She warned that the quality, safety and origins of the drugs cannot be assured. “These medicines may be counterfeit, mis-labelled or contain harmful or ineffective ingredients,” she said.

The volume of slimming medicines detained rose from 1,582 in 2024 to 48,752 last year. Tests carried out on a sample of drugs detained found that they did not contain the active ingredient semaglutide, used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and as an anti-obesity medication, contrary to the claims on their packaging and promotional materials.

The enforcement team at the HPRA continue to monitor online activity promoting prescription medicines and other substances, and routinely intervene to disrupt that promotion.

They work with the Director of Public Prosecutions, gardaí and Customs Service to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. They also co-operate and share 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.

The HPRA welcome reports of suspicious activities linked to the supply of medicines and other health products. Anyone can report in confidence to the HPRA at reportacase@hpra.ie or at 01 6343871.