Nearly 20 million illegally traded erectile dysfunction pills have been seized in the UK over the past five years, prompting urgent warnings from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency about the dangers of buying unauthorised medicines online.
The figure, which is equivalent to a single dose for three in every four adult men in the UK, reflects the growing scale of the illegal market.
Between 2021 and 2025, the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit seized around 19.5 million doses, including 4.4 million in 2025 alone, working closely with Border Force to intercept shipments and disrupt organised criminal networks. Many of the pills seized, enough to fill two double‑decker buses, were found to contain no active ingredient, the wrong dose, hidden drugs or toxic substances, posing serious risks to public health.
Erectile dysfunction medicines remain one of the most frequently seized illegally traded medicines in the UK, with annual seizures more than doubling since 2022. Officials say criminals are exploiting the stigma around ED, which affects around half of men aged 40 to 70, and research suggests two in five men avoid seeking medical advice, pushing some toward unsafe online sources.
Andy Morling, Head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, warns that many counterfeit ED pills “look genuine, but can be potentially dangerous,” emphasising there is no way to know what unlicensed medicines contain or how they may affect the body.
Alongside record-breaking seizures, the MHRA is stepping up enforcement against online sellers. In 2025, the agency disrupted more than 1,500 websites and social media accounts illegally selling medical products and removed over 1,200 posts promoting unauthorised medicines.
The MHRA stresses that buying ED medicines from unregulated websites, messaging apps or social media platforms is dangerous and illegal. Unlicensed ED medicines pose elevated risks — particularly for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or those on other medications — increasing the likelihood of heart attack, stroke or dangerously low blood pressure.
The MHRA is urging the public to take the following steps to protect their health:
- Avoid buying medicines from unknown websites, social media or messaging apps. Consumers are directed to the #FakeMeds website for tools to verify safe online purchasing.
- Use only UK‑registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies displaying the official green cross logo. Registration can be checked via the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Speak to a GP or pharmacist for safe and effective treatment options tailored to individual health needs.
Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister, said:
“There should be no shame in talking about erectile dysfunction, but stigma and embarrassment are being exploited by criminals selling fake medicines that can be deadly.
“We’re cracking down on crime and as a doctor, my message is simple: speak to your GP or pharmacist. They can offer safe, effective treatments and confidential advice, taking into account your health and any other medicines you take.
“Don’t take a gamble with your health. If a medicine isn’t coming from a registered pharmacy, it isn’t safe – and it’s breaking the law.”
Image credit: iStock
