Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of illegal units of medicine that have beendetained by the HPRA; if plans are in place for the HPRA to be given more powers in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26695/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) detained some 940,000 dosage units of falsified and other illegal medicines in 2022. The HPRA warns of the serious health dangers posed by sourcing prescription medicines online and from unauthorised sources. Supply of these products into and within Ireland is illegal and consumers can have no guarantees about the safety or quality of prescription medicines they are seeking to buy outside of the regulated pharmacy setting.
In the 12 months of 2022, the most significant categories of illegal products detained included sedatives (26%), anabolic steroids (22%), erectile dysfunction medicines (9%), analgesics (7%), and Stimulants (5%). The breakdown is:
• Sedative medicines – 247,737 units detained
• Anabolic steroids – 207,220 units detained
• Erectile dysfunction – 84,038 units detained
• Analgesic medicines – 63,776 units detained
• Stimulants – 46,547 units detained
• 639 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages amended or shutdown.
• 7 voluntary formal cautions issued and one prosecution case initiated relating to the importation or distribution of anabolic steroids
The HPRA is responsible for prosecuting cases where it considers that there is a significant risk to public health or where there are persistent non-compliances. One such prosecution case initiated in 2022, relating to the unauthorised supply of anabolic steroids. In addition, there were seven voluntary formal cautions (VFC’s) relating to the unauthorised supply of medicines. The HPRA also supports prosecutions brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the illegal supply of medicines.
The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service with whom there is significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. There are no plans to give the HPRA more powers at this time. 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. Members of the public are also encouraged to report any reports of suspicious activities linked to the supply of medicines and other health products on a confidential basis to the HPRA – contact details are available on the HPRA’s website.
