Illegal medicines pose 'very real' health risk as almost one million units seized 

The enforcement data highlighted that 940,000 units of illegal medicines were seized last year, with 26% of those consisting of sedatives. Picture: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography

Almost one million falsified and illegal medicines, including over 207,000 units of anabolic steroids, were detained in 2022 according to latest data from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

The authority has warned there are "very real" health risks posed by sourcing prescription medicines online.