Pretend Viagra is the UK’s most seized counterfeit drug in line with knowledge obtained by way of Freedom of Info (FOI) requests.
Seized doses of pretend Viagra within the UK from 2023 to mid-2025 extremely exceed these of different counterfeit medicine reminiscent of tramadol, a prescription opioid of which 2.96 million doses have been seized and 1.5 million seized doses of counterfeit Cialis (tadalafil), a prescription remedy used to deal with erectile disfunction.
Based on the Medicines and Healthcare merchandise Regulatory Company (MHRA), accountable for medication security within the UK, most non-compliant drug seizures are made on the UK border, with most being imported from India.
What are the dangers of utilizing pretend Viagra?
Kiran Jones, pharmacist at Oxford On-line Pharmacy, stated: “The dangers are important. Pretend medicine could also be ineffective, contaminated, or incorrectly dosed.
“There must be extra public schooling in regards to the most secure methods to entry authentic therapy.”
Why are folks shopping for pretend Viagra?
The most important driver of pretend Viagra gross sales is embarrassment round erectile dysfunction.
Medicine for erectile dysfunction may be bought over-the-counter within the UK, however solely after having a pharmacist session.
A examine carried out by the Urology Basis in 2022 discovered over half of males keep away from searching for medical help for erectile points on account of nervousness or concern of judgement in regards to the challenge.
Nonetheless, erectile points are frequent – at the least one in 10 males will endure with erectile dysfunction of their lifetime.
At all times test if an internet pharmacy is registered with the Basic Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) – search for a GPhC emblem or registration quantity, or search the pharmacy or pharmacist identify utilizing the official GPhC register.
- Provide prescription-only medication with out asking for a prescription or session.
- Don’t have any clear contact info.
- Use unbranded packaging or generic product photographs.
- Provide costs that appear too good to be true.
