The public should not buy medicines from unverified websites, the Irish Pharmacy Union has warned.
The IPU said purchasing counterfeit medicine could pose serious risks to a person’s health.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, President of the IPU Tom Murray said any medicine being sold from an unverified source should be of “particular concern” because a person does not know what is in the medicine.
He added that some “drugs can contain nothing” and others can contain toxic ingredients.
Mr Murray said that the most popular counterfeit drugs are Botox and weight loss or diabetes treatments, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro.
He said that there were over 1,700 units of Botox seized last year by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
He also warned that unverified websites could be offering incorrect information or advice.
Mr Murray said that Ireland has a highly regulated supply system which “guarantees the efficiency and safety of medicines”.
He added that the only place to buy medicine safely is through pharmacies.
