The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seized nearly 20 million doses of illegal medicines worth almost £45 million in 2025, disrupting criminal networks. The seizures included 9.9 million sedatives, 4.4 million erectile dysfunction treatments, 4.1 million painkillers, and 5,680 GLP-1 pens. Law enforcement partners also blocked over £2.1 million in assets linked to the illegal trade. The MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit dismantled an illicit manufacturing facility in Northampton and disrupted 1,500 websites and 1,200 social media posts selling unlicensed products. A joint AI algorithm with eBay blocked 2 million policy violations related to prescription and over-the-counter medicines. MHRA Deputy Director Andy Morling emphasized the agency’s focus on preventing dangerous products from reaching the public, urging caution when purchasing medicines online. Unauthorised medicines may lack safety testing and could contain harmful substances or incorrect dosages.
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-seizes-illegal-medicines-worth-almost-45m-in-2025-disrupting-major-criminal-networks
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