We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THESE ARE JUST some of the thousands of illegal tablets and capsules that were detained by Revenue officials over the last week.
Some 142,000 units worth over €430,000 were seized as part of an Interpol-led operation involving the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners.
Operation Pangea VII, which began on 9 June and finished on Tuesday, targeted the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines.
Seized products included 104,000 sedatives, 12,000 anabolic steroids, 8,000 erectile dysfunction pills and 2,000 weight loss tablets.
Their main countries of origin were Singapore, USA, India and the UK.
Two arrests were carried out during the week-long operation.
Eight websites, including five that were based in Ireland, were investigated. Four of the Irish sites selling illegal or counterfeit products have now either been shut down or amended online content.
‘Don’t be embarrassed’
Speaking today at a briefing on the seizures, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said the medicines posed a “major patient safety concern”.
An estimated 50% of products bought online are either dangerous or unreliable, he said.
What happens on some occasions is that [medicines purchased online] are counterfeit and there are no active ingredients in them. But more seriously, they can be medicines that are no longer available – that have been taken off the market – because they’re dangerous.
He said that patients should not be embarrassed to discuss weight and erectile difficulties with their doctors, who can prescribe them with safer alternatives to products sold online.
As somebody who worked as a GP, I can tell you that huge numbers of people have issue like that and they go into their doctors all the time.
From 24 June, he added, a new EU logo for legitimate websites selling over-the-counter medicines will come into effect across Europe.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
That’s Father’s Day ruined
They were such poor performers apparently, that all they were good for, was freeing blocked drainpipes !!!
I’m sure some of it is sown to embarrassment, but I imagine the vast majority of cases these medicines are bought because they cost much less than they would though a GP.
Exactly. Online, the competition is fierce stiff in pharmaceuticals. Prices can droop as much as 70 percent for some medicines depending on where you shop. It all depends on the search engine rankings for your site. If you can get it up to page one, you’ll be flyin’.
Droop?? Please tell me that was intentional.
Cian, you missed..’stiff’…and ‘get it up’ as well..:-/
Hah. So I did. Kudos to that gentleman.
you also missed “get it up” :-)
Hardened criminals no doubt.
Massive cock up by someone.
Who needs viagra when’s there’s Joan Burton….
Stick her head in a bucket of sand first and I will just think about it, lol.
Had some very strange side effects from those erectile dysfunction tablets. Not only has my height decreased but the hair on my feet has been growing at an exceptionally fast rate. I’m like a limp dicked Frodo Baggins at the moment, it’s awful.
I had a baldy arse before I took one. Fcukin state of me now ….. :-(
Well at least your picture with the article had one giant dick in it. The ginger guy on the other hand appears quite normal.
leo will do anything to avoid work and get his photo taken,
You’d want to be very hard up to take one of those.
My mate took one of those pills for erectile dysfunction last week and it got stuck in his throat,
he`s had a stiff neck ever since
Stiff penalties to be introduced by the government to stop a rise in sales of these pills by cocky criminals
Well done to the police for hardening their stance on these substances.
These type of crimes are on the rise.
Jasus, that was quick with the red thumb, I just turned me back and you were in like a light.
Normally you can’t get Varadkar to comment on something related to his job as Minister for Health….so this issue must be very close to his heart.
Way to put a downer on things…
I hope they get a stiff sentence.
Sorry finding it difficult to come up with something witty,……..
They should reduce the cost of medication in this country and people wouldn’t have to resort to buying it online. I got 6 months prescription filled in Spain for less than the cost of one month here. Rip off Ireland
I gave up taking Viagra, it kept me up all night.
That’s hard to believe
When will they be selling the pills…
They shouldn’t be blocking the cock, they should be guiding it…
Is Leo saying, have you any poppers???
have your say