Urgent warning over fake Facebook profiles and ads promoting illegal medicines
An urgent warning has been issued following a significant surge in online content making false claims while promoting medicines, medical devices and cosmetics in recent weeks.
It is particularly drawing attention to a new trend where questionable websites and social media posts are misusing the The Health Products Regulatory Authority's logo to falsely assert that featured products have the HPRA's endorsement. Other regulatory bodies worldwide are being targeted in a similar manner.
The HPRA said the inappropriate use of its name and logo is "clearly intended to deceive and mislead consumers". The authority is urging the public not to buy such products online as they are likely to be from unreliable suppliers engaged in illegal advertising and selling counterfeit or unauthorised products that could pose a health risk.
In May alone, the HPRA has noticed a spike in deceptive website activity. These websites, hosted outside of Ireland on the e-commerce platform Shopify, are being directly marketed to consumers via fake Facebook profiles and ads.
So far, around 155 Shopify product listings, 124 Facebook profiles and 414 Facebook advertisements have been identified making false claims, with many also fraudulently stating that the product or brand is endorsed by the HPRA. The HPRA has alerted Shopify and Meta to the fraudulent activities and public health dangers posed by illegal prescription medicines and other unregulated health products sold online.
They've called on both companies to step in and actively seek out and delete product listings, bogus profiles, and adverts from their platforms. Grainne Power, the HPRA's Director of Compliance, said: "We know that a lot of people are being duped into purchasing fake and illegal products via these sites.
"Working with Revenue's Customs Service, we have detained a significant number of products at point of entry to the country. A number of these purport to be genuine prescription medicines when in fact the products as presented do not exist as an authorised product in any market.
"One notable example are transdermal delivery microneedle patches which it is claimed contain semaglutide or tirzepatide and, featuring the Irish flag, are supposedly made in Ireland. In addition to references to the HPRA, there are also claims these products are endorsed nationally by charities, hospitals and individual healthcare professionals.
"All these claims are untrue. Microneedle patches containing semaglutide, tirzepatide or any GLP-1 type medicine are not available as approved medical treatments.
"The key message we are highlighting today is that the HPRA never endorses individual brands nor do we allow our logo to be used in the promotion of health products. Our advice to consumers is that if online sources feature a HPRA logo or suggest a HPRA endorsement, then this is actually a clear sign you are engaging with a dubious site and seller.
"At best you are wasting your money with these online scams but at worst you could be seriously endangering your health. We are advising that when it comes to prescription medicines, ensure that the product is prescribed by a healthcare professional and sourced from a local pharmacy. All medicines, medical devices and cosmetics should be purchased through trustworthy, reliable and recognised sources."
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RTÉ News
an hour ago
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RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
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