According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), about 3.5 million unlicensed medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) worth over £10 million were seized in the UK in 2019.
The MHRA is set to launch the next phase of its #FakeMeds campaign, and this time, its focus is on curbing online sales of fake ED medicines. Through the campaign, MHRA is encouraging consumers who buy medicines online to ensure that they are purchasing from safe and legitimate sources and report suspected fake products and any associated side effects to the Yellow Card scheme.
An estimated 4.3 million men in the UK have erectile problems; however, 44 per cent of men with ED aged ≥40 years are not likely to seek medical attention and often resort to buying fake products online. Fake ED medications can not only be ineffective but their safety may also be questionable. They may not contain any active ingredients and in worse cases, may contain toxic ingredients which could result in serious health consequences.
It is believed that more than half of all medicines and medical devices purchased online are fake or counterfeit. This strongly emphasises the need for enforcement activity and public awareness to protect and improve the health of the public. The MHRA’s enforcement team has also been closely collaborating with the UK Border Force to seize unlicensed medicines at the border.
