‘Significant increase' in weight loss drugs like Ozempic being seized in Revenue operations
A number of operations have been carried out by Revenue customs service targeting weight-loss and other medical products.
In one operation assisted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), 85 shipments of illicit weight-loss products were identified packaged as Ozempic and other brands including Wegovy and Mounjaro.
During this operation, additional products packaged as the anti-diabetic and weight-loss medication Tirzepatide were intercepted.
Another operation carried out over two weeks saw Revenue officers examine parcels at premises in Dublin and the midlands, where they made 635 detections of products.
The parcels were found to contain products including illicit medical products packaged as semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and 'substantial volumes of unknown Botox-type and tanning products believed to have been sourced via social media'.
A spokesperson said these seizures 'reflect an emerging trend noted by Revenue officers', particularly those based at national mail centres and courier hubs, of a 'significant increase' in the number of packages containing prescription only medical products ordered by mail.
They said the 'vast majority' of these intercepted packaged contained weight-loss products addressed to private individuals who bought them online.
Larger consignments of the goods are also occasionally detected at ports and airports.
Revenue enforcement teams have almost 11,000 individual weight-loss products over the course of all operations, as of May 31.
This marks a 'significant increase' on the 2,300 individual products seized all of last year.
Consumers have been issued a reminder of the importance of taking care when buying medical products online, 'as they may not be safe or effective'.
They have also been advised to be cautious as they could suffer a financial loss if the goods they buy are seized.
Investigations in respect of all operation carried out by Revenue are ongoing.
In April, the HPRA announced more than one million units of illegal medicines had been seized last year, up 14pc on 2023.
This included 203,088 units of anabolic steroids, 146,866 units of sedative drugs, 119,289 units of erectile dysfunction medicines and 113,555 analgesic drugs used for the treatment of pain.
The HPRA noted an upward trend in the use of medical weight-loss products like Ozempic.
'While purchasing online is second nature for many of us, when it comes to prescription medicines, people need to ensure that the product is prescribed by a healthcare professional and sourced from a local pharmacy,' HPRA director of compliance Grainne Power said.
'Your pharmacy has sourced medicines from authorised sources for your protection and is an expert in their use. Using these prescription medicines without medical supervision or from an unregulated source leaves people unprotected.
'The seizure of over one million dosage units of illegal medicines last year highlights the persistent extent of the threats posed by falsified and unauthorised prescription medicines.'
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The Irish Sun
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- The Irish Sun
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The Irish Sun
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
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But many are buying them through online pharmacies with insufficient checks. Advertisement Best thing I've ever done! Alexandra And just earlier this month, a fat jab warning was issued after more than 100 UK deaths were linked to weight loss drugs. Not only this, but the family of a man from Burton upon Trent, Staffs, who died after taking Mounjaro, are now Social media users react Alexandra's TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ Social media users were stunned by Alexandra's new figure and many raced to the comments to express this. Advertisement One person said: 'You look amazing.' Another added: 'Wow! That's incredible! Well done you!' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. A third commented: 'Amazing! You must feel brilliant.' Advertisement In response, Alexandra wrote back and shared: 'I feel much better that's for sure!! Thank you!' Meanwhile, someone else questioned: 'Is it worth it?' To this, Alexandra confirmed: 'Best thing I've ever done!' The reality of Mounjaro But despite Alexandra's Advertisement A probe also found that nearly 400 people have gone to hospital after taking Whilst Alexandra dealt with hair loss, the common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to severe dehydration. What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea : This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting : Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea : Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation : Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort : Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite : This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion : Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis : In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems : There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors : There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems : Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) : Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. And if that wasn't bad enough, doctors say they have also seen 'life-threatening complications', including seizures, bowel obstruction and inflammation of the pancreas. Model Lottie Moss, 27, even said Advertisement The makers of Mounjaro, Lilly UK stressed: 'Regulatory agencies conduct extensive independent assessments of the benefits and risks of every new medicine and Lilly is committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety data. 'If anyone is experiencing side effects when taking any Lilly medicine, they should talk to their doctor or other healthcare professional.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club Advertisement
