DUBLIN, IRELAND – The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and Revenue’s Customs Service have issued a public health warning after a dramatic increase in the seizure of counterfeit weight-loss medicines, including fake versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro. This follows the detention of thousands of so-called “microneedle patches” and other illicit products falsely claiming to contain the active ingredients in these popular medications.
In the first half of 2025 alone, enforcement teams from Revenue, with assistance from the HPRA, have seized close to 11,000 individual weight-loss products, a significant jump from the 2,300 units seized throughout the entirety of 2024. The confiscated items include vials of clear liquid and a new, worrying trend of products presented as “microneedle patches” that illegally claim to deliver ingredients like semaglutide and tirzepatide through the skin.
The HPRA is emphasizing the severe health risks associated with these black-market products. The watchdog stated that consumers simply do not know what substances these products contain, and they are not subject to the rigorous quality and safety checks of legitimate medicines. Counterfeit products may contain incorrect dosages, harmful contaminants, or no active ingredient at all. Using them could lead to serious health complications, infections, or a lack of therapeutic effect.
“There is no authorized version of semaglutide or tirzepatide in a ‘microneedle patch’ form,” a HPRA spokesperson said. “Any product of this nature promoted online is fake and potentially dangerous to anyone who takes them. We strongly urge the public to only obtain prescription-only medicines from a registered pharmacy with a valid prescription from their doctor.”
The HPRA has also noted a rise in online advertisements and social media scams that use fraudulent claims and fake endorsements—including the unauthorized use of the HPRA’s own logo—to promote these illegal products. The Authority is working with social media companies and law enforcement to shut down these illicit online operations.
The public is advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to the sale of prescription medicines to the HPRA confidentially.
