Health regulator warns of 'increase' in false online content using official logo
An Irish health products regulator has warned of a 'significant increase' in online content making false claims whilst promoting medicines, medical devices and cosmetics.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has highlighted a trend where 'dubious sites and social media posts' are using the HPRA logo to falsely claim featured products are endorsed by the HPRA.
Alongside the body, other regulators internationally are being targeted in a similar way. The HPRA slammed the 'unacceptable use' of its logo and name in a way 'clearly designed to deceive and mislead consumers'.
The HPRA is now urging members of the public not to buy such products online as they are likely to be from untrustworthy suppliers engaged in both illegal advertising and offering fake or unauthorised products that could pose a health risk.
It stressed that as the independent regulator, the HPRA will never endorse or promote any specific health product or brand.
In May alone, the HPRA observed a surge in misleading website activity. The websites, which are hosted outside of Ireland by the e-commerce platform Shopify, are being directly promoted to consumers via fake Facebook profiles and ads.
To date, some 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 advised Shopify and Meta of this fraudulent activity and of the public health risks associated with illegal prescription medicines and other unregulated health products sold online. It has requested Shopify and Meta to intercede to proactively identify and remove product listings, fake profiles and adverts from their platforms.
According to Grainne Power, Director of Compliance, HPRA, in recent weeks there has been an upsurge in fake and misleading online posts. In all cases, despite what is being claimed, these illegal products are manufactured and sourced outside of Ireland.
'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,' she concluded.
The HPRA continually monitors websites and social media channels for fake and illegal health product promotion. In 2024, 2,553 websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages were amended or shut down.
It continually warns the public of the dangers of purchasing prescription only medicines online. It is illegal to sell prescription medicines online and there is no guarantee of the quality, safety or effectiveness of the medicines purchased from unauthorised sources.
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