Crackdown on illegal weight-loss drugs packaged as Ozempic and Mounjaro being ordered online

Revenue has reported a number of operations in recent weeks targeting the illegal importation of weight-loss drugs packaged as the popular weight-loss medications Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, as well as other medical products.

In one operation, a total of 85 shipments of illicit weight-loss products were discovered by Revenue who were assisted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Among the products seized were items packaged as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro as well as Tirzepatide.

Another operation which occurred over a two-week period at premises in Dublin and the Midlands led to 635 illicit items being discovered by Revenue. On this occasion, the parcels contained medical products packaged as Semaglutide, which again can be used for weight management. 

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In a statement from Revenue, they said that this was found alongside "substantial volumes of previously unknown Botox-type and tanning products believed to have been sourced via social media."

The statement added: "These seizures reflect an emerging trend noted by Revenue officers, particularly those based at the national mail centres and courier hubs, who have seen a significant increase in packages containing mail order prescription-only medical products.

"The vast majority of packages intercepted contain weight-loss products addressed to private individuals who have purchased these products online. Larger consignments are occasionally detected at ports and airports."

As of the end of May, Revenue has seized almost 11,000 individual weight-loss products this year in comparison to 2,300 last year.

They have urged people that when purchasing medical products online, that they may not be safe or effective.