EBAY is being flooded with fake Viagra pills which could lead to “drastic consequences” and risk people’s lives, UK officials have warned today.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has removed 215 listings of fake and “potentially dangerous” from the website.
The MHRA and eBay have collaborated to removed hundreds of listings of fake Viagra pillsCredit: Getty
The regulator has partnered with to crack down on the sale of illegal meds online.
Health Minister Zubir Ahmed said: “Buying any from illegal online suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving falsified or unlicensed products, often with drastic consequences.
“Doing so not only risks your own life but often provides funding for other illegal activity, so I commend the work done by MHRA and eBay to tackle this.”
In the last five years, the regulator has seized almost 20 million dodgy Viagra pills, .
The MHRA warned at the time that the “stigma and embarrassment” of erectile dysfunction is being “exploited by criminals”.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) – trouble with getting or maintaining an erection during sex – is very common and affects around 4.3 million men in the UK.
Drugs like Viagra are used to manage erectile dysfunction in at least two thirds of cases, according to the .
But many are resorting to seeking help online rather than in person, with research suggesting two in five men would feel uncomfortable seeking medical advice .
According to the MHRA, ED medicines are one of the most frequently illegally traded medicines in the UK.
sold on physical shelves in the UK must undergo strict quality control to ensure they are as safe as possible for people to use.
But, experts have long warned that many ED drugs bought online are often and lab tests have even found fake Viagra containing ingredients like detergents and printer ink.
The MHRA warns these unauthorised meds may contain too much of the active ingredient, such as sildenafil, or none at all, rendering them useless.
Dodgy Viagra pills may also be laced with toxic ingredients that could be dangerous to men, particularly when mixed with other medications they’re taking.
But there’s no way of knowing what toxic drug combinations men may be ingesting if they buy pills online, which haven’t been checked by the MHRA.
The drug watchdog and eBay have struck a deal to make it easier to pull dodgy medicines and medical devices from sale quickly, to protect the of the UK public.
The MHRA said it had alerted eBay to hundreds of potentially dangerous listings of Viagra.
Assessments from the MHRA’s Borderline products team, who are responsible for the classification of products, flagged that the tablets may be fake based on their shape – and this was later confirmed.
The MHRA then alerted eBay, which immediately removed the listings from sale to the public.
Lynda Scammell, head of MHRA’s Borderline, said: “We can all enjoy shopping online from trusted marketplaces like eBay, but when it comes to medicines and medical devices, a higher threshold of caution is needed for these products.
You just don’t know what’s in it and what it could do to you. The message is clear, ‘Don’t gamble with your health.’
“Our work with eBay continues to remove unauthorised products from sale and prevent potential harm to public health.
“Collaborations such as this between public agencies and private companies have a substantial role to play in tackling illegal sales of medical products and protecting the health and safety of UK citizens.”
The MHRA urged people to avoid buying medicines from social media, messaging or unknown websites as a rule.
Patients were advised to speak to a or pharmacist about safe and effective treatment options for ED.
And when it comes to prescription medicines, they were told to visit a UK-registered pharmacy – discernible by the official green cross logo.
For pharmacies based in Great Britain you can check their registration on the General Pharmaceutical Council’s (GPhC) website .
In , check via the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) website .
Erectile dysfunction often acts as a marker of a man’s overall health.
An inability to get or maintain erection could be a result of undiagnosed or or even a warning sign of cardiovascular disease, according to experts.
This is because blood vessels need to dilate for blood to flow to the penis and allow a man to get erect.
But cardiovascular disease can narrow the arteries meaning less blood can flow through — making it difficult to get or maintain an erection.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR MEDICINE IS FAKE
TO spot counterfeit medication, be vigilant about packaging, especially the label and any security features, and compare it to your usual medication.
Look for inconsistencies like poor quality printing, spelling errors, or missing information.
Also, be wary of suspiciously low prices or offers of prescription-only medication without a prescription.
Here’s what you can do…
PACKAGING
Compare packaging
If you’ve used the same medication before, compare the packaging to the new one. Look for any differences in colour, font, or printing quality.
Check for security features
Some medications have security features like holograms or color-shifting inks. See if these are present and appear genuine.
Inspect for damage
Check for any signs of tampering, such as broken seals, torn packaging, or damage to the container.
Looking for missing information
Ensure the packaging includes the patient information leaflet, the “UK Only” label, and that the active ingredient(s) are listed.
MEDICATION
Taste, smell, and appearance
Be suspicious if the medication has a strange taste, odour, or a colour that is different from what you’re used to.
Texture and consistency
Counterfeit tablets may be crumbly or easily break apart.
Compare to previous medication
If you’re familiar with the medication, compare its size, shape, colour, and texture to your usual medication.
OTHER RED FLAGS
Suspiciously low prices
Be cautious of medicines that are significantly cheaper than usual.
Offers without a prescription
Avoid buying prescription-only medication from sources that don’t require a valid prescription.
Unfamiliar or untrustworthy sources
Be wary of buying medication online from websites that are not registered pharmacies or from sellers who are not legitimate.
IF YOU SUSPECT COUNTERFEIT MEDICINE
Report it
Report any concerns to the relevant authorities, such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) . You can contact the MHRA’s counterfeit hotline or report it online, according to the NHS.
Don’t use it
If you have any doubts, do not take the medication and seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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