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Over 750,000 units of illegal medicines detained by the HPRA in 2025
Over 750,000 units of illegal medicines detained by the HPRA in 2025
Individual consignment detentions increase threefold (180%)
Over three quarters of a million dosage units of falsified and illegal medicines were detained by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in 2025. Announcing its annual enforcement figures today, the HPRA confirms that it detained a total of 763,027 dosage units* which included just under 14,000 individual packages each linked to a separate purchase by a member of the public of illegal or falsified medicines. This represents a threefold (180%) increase of individual consignments since 2024**. A significant proportion of these were presented as GLP‑1 products for personal use.
Announcing the figures, the HPRA reiterated the serious health risks associated with sourcing prescription medicines online or through any unauthorised channels. It emphasised that the supply of such products into or within Ireland is illegal and warned that consumers have no assurance regarding the safety, quality, or authenticity of prescription medicines obtained outside the regulated pharmacy setting. The HPRA advises consumers not to take risks with their health and to stop using any prescription medicines obtained from unregulated sources immediately. Anyone with concerns about their health is urged to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
In the 12 months of 2025, the most significant categories of illegal products detained included sedatives (27%), erectile dysfunction medicines (14%), anabolic steroids (12%), diabetes/slimming (9%) and analgesics (5%). The breakdown is as follows:
- Sedative medicines – 205,270 units detained
- Erectile dysfunction – 103,185 units detained
- Anabolic steroids – 94,647 units detained
- Diabetes/Slimming – 65,148 units detained
- Analgesic medicines – 40,669 units detained
The HPRA highlights the substantial increase in the volume of GLP-1 type medicines detained, rising from 1,582 in 2024 to 48,752. Authorised GLP-1 prescription-only medicines are intended for specific medical purposes such as diabetes or weight management under certain conditions. The majority of the detained products were promoted as containing semaglutide or tirzepatide and were presented primarily as GLP‑1 drops (27,329 items) or microneedle patches (17,170 items).
Despite claims made in the promotion of these products, GLP‑1 drops or patches are not authorised as approved medical treatments and there is no evidence to support their use. Testing conducted by the HPRA on a sample of the transdermal patches detained in 2025 found that they did not contain semaglutide, contrary to the claims on their packaging and promotional materials. The remaining illegal GLP‑1 medicines detained were presented in other forms, including tablets, pens, and vials containing either powder or clear liquid.
Pregabalin is another product that saw a significant increase in detentions in 2025, rising from 23,442 in 2024 to 59,905. This represents the fifth consecutive year‑on‑year increase and reflects a wider global trend in the illegal, non‑medical use of this product.
The HPRA also continues to monitor online activity promoting prescription medicines and other substances and routinely intervenes to disrupt this promotion. Such activity is often linked to the use of substances for aesthetic and body image purposes. In 2025, the HPRA,
- Initiated a prosecution relating to the manufacture and distribution of GLP-1 medicines;
- Shutdown or amended 4,762^ websites, e-commerce listings and/or social media pages.
Commenting on the 2025 data, Jennifer McCartan, Compliance Manager at the HPRA, expressed her concern about the risks individuals continue to take when attempting to purchase prescription medicines from unauthorised suppliers.
“Sourcing prescription medicines outside of a registered pharmacy and without appropriate medical supervision poses a significant risk to your health. Products obtained through online or other unauthorised channels fall outside the regulated supply chain, meaning their quality, safety, and origins cannot be assured. These medicines may be counterfeit, mislabelled, or contain harmful or ineffective ingredients. Using such products can result in serious adverse effects and represents a real but fully avoidable danger to public health.
“While we welcome a decrease in overall detentions this year (763,027 units in 2025 compared to 1,000,984 dosage units in 2024), data for a single year should not be interpretated as an indication that demand for certain products has reduced. More than three‑quarters of a million dosage units of illegal medicines is really concerning and we are also seeing some evidence of packages containing smaller quantities of drops, patches or vials. This pattern is reflected in the overall consignment figures”.
According to Ms McCartan, the public may be taking risks in sourcing falsified medicines and unauthorised substances for a variety of reasons.
“There are numerous reasons why consumers may turn to the internet and other unregulated sources of prescription medicines. For many it is the knowledge or expectation that a healthcare professional may not consider these products clinically appropriate, while others may be motivated by privacy concerns, ease of access or perceived cost savings,” Ms McCartan concluded.
The HPRA will initiate prosecution cases where it considers that there is a significant risk to public health or where there are persistent non-compliances. The HPRA also supports prosecutions brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the illegal supply of medicines. Before initiating a prosecution, the HPRA will typically engage with an offender, detain product and may formally caution the individual to ensure any illegal activity is ended. In 2025, 14 voluntary formal cautions were issued.
The HPRA works in close co-operation with colleagues from An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service. There continues to be significant inter-agency collaboration to combat the illegal supply of health products into and within Ireland. The HPRA also co-operates and shares intelligence with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies across Europe and worldwide to prevent the illegal manufacture, importation and distribution of medicines, medical devices, and cosmetics.
The HPRA welcomes reports of suspicious activities linked to the supply of medicines and other health products. Anyone can report in confidence to the HPRA at reportacase@hpra.ie or at 01 6343871.
2026 Irish Hotels Federation 88th Annual Conference
Mounting Business Costs a Major Challenge as Hotels Signal Confidence for 2026 Irish Hotels Federation 88th Annual Conference
“Despite significant headwinds, we are cautiously optimistic for the year ahead, with forward bookings suggesting hotel business levels will remain stable in 2026,” says IHF President Michael Magner
- 92% of hoteliers concerned about the outlook for the global economy
- 76% room occupancy achieved in 2025, up 1% on 2024
- 51% of hotels report a positive outlook for trading conditions (36% neutral, 13% negative)
- 75% of hoteliers plan to increase capital investment over the next 12 months
Monday, 23rd February 2026: Mounting business costs and global uncertainty are the primary concerns facing hoteliers as they gather today for the Irish Hotels Federation’s (IHF) 88th Annual Conference taking place this year in the Gleneagle, Killarney.
Recent industry research carried out by the IHF reveals that 92% of hoteliers are worried about the global economy and the potential impact of political uncertainty in key markets. Closer to home, 76% are concerned about the outlook for the Irish economy over the next twelve months, as consumer finances remain under pressure and international developments pose potential risks.
Despite these challenges, however, the sector maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook. A slim majority (51%) of hoteliers report a positive outlook for trading conditions over the next 12 months, while 36% report a neutral outlook and 13% are negative.
This follows a robust performance by the Irish hotels sector in 2025, with average national hotel room occupancy standing at 76% for the year as a whole, up 1% on the previous year. While most regions saw an increase in occupancy levels, significant regional disparity persists, ranging from 70% occupancy in the border region to 83% in Dublin.
Commenting on the outlook for the sector, IHF President Michael Magner said:
“We are cautiously optimistic for the coming year, as forward bookings suggest business levels will remain stable in 2026. This is despite significant headwinds, chief among them relentless increases in the cost of doing business, which is already exceptionally high by international standards. This requires a renewed, national focus on cost competitiveness – both within our own tourism industry and across the wider economy. Thankfully, the Government’s decision to restore the 9% rate of VAT on hospitality food services from July will partially offset these increases for food-led businesses operating on some of the tightest margins of any sector.”
Mr Magner notes that continued investment in product development remains a priority for Irish hotels. “A focus on value-enhancing investment is essential for the future growth of our sector and tourism industry. Hotels are examining all aspects of their operations to elevate their product, meet changing visitor preferences and achieve their sustainability goals. This ensures Irish tourism is positioned to deliver long-term growth as Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, supporting over 270,000 livelihoods.”
Refurbishment – Following a period of already significant capital investment in their properties during the last four years, 75% of hoteliers plan to further increase investment over the next 12 months. Key areas of planned investment include projects involving guest bedroom refurbishment (61% of hotels) and upgrades to restaurants, bars and common areas (47% of hotels).
Environmental sustainability – Some 53% of hotels indicate they plan to increase investment in sustainability in 2026, while an additional 32% indicate they are actively exploring new options to enhance sustainability. Among those investing, key targets include renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions (60% of hotels), food waste reduction (33%) and water conservation measures (26%).
127 Enforcement Orders Served On Food Businesses In 2025
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that 127 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation in 2025, a decrease of 4.5% on the 132 that were served in 2024. Between 1 January and 31 December 2025, 102 Closure Orders, 23 Prohibition Orders and 2 Improvement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive, sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, and by officers of the FSAI on food businesses throughout the country.
Commenting on the annual figures, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said:
“While the total number of Enforcement Orders in 2025 decreased slightly compared to 2024, it is disappointing that we continue to see enforcement action being necessary due to fundamental breaches, such as pest infestations, poor hygiene, unsafe storage of food, inadequate staff training and the absence of food safety management systems. Additionally, we have found instances of unregistered food businesses operating illegally without notifying the competent authority, therefore bypassing essential food safety controls and putting consumers health at risk.”
The FSAI also reported that eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order was served on food businesses during the month of December 2025 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive and officers of the FSAI.
One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Crosfield (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Unit 4 Bymac Centre, Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 15
Seven Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Taha Butchers (Closed area: the food and food equipment storage facility at the rear of the premises), 13 Railway Street, Navan, Meath
- Ruby’s Cakes (Manufacturer), Durhamstown Castle, Bohermeen, Navan, Meath
- EB Food Essentials, Unregistered establishment trading at Coolanagh, Ballickmoyler, Laois
- Quack N Wok (Takeaway), Unit 3A, Gandon House, Custom House Square I.F.S.C, Mayor Street Lower, Dublin 1
- Sasaki Sushi (Service Sector), 3 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
- Centra (Closed area: Deli area), Main Street, Killenaule, Tipperary
- Unregistered premises trading as Selera Space, at an apartment at Sandyford Central, Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18
One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Dublin Herbalists (Food Supplements), Carrick Street, Mullinahone, Tipperary
Some of the reasons for the Closure Orders in December include: failure to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business; active mouse infestation evidenced by droppings throughout food storage and preparation areas; defective drainage and sewage systems, with foul water leaking and backing up from sanitary facilities and contaminating kitchen floors and food preparation surfaces where ready-to-eat foods were handled; unsuitable and unhygienic food and equipment storage facilities; extremely poor hygiene standards, including heavily contaminated food contact surfaces, equipment and utensils; a lack of effective cleaning and disinfection procedures; absence of a food safety management system based on HACCP principles; unsafe food transport practices, including the use of an unrefrigerated vehicle for transporting meat with no controls in place to maintain the cold food chain.
Commenting on the December 2025 figures, Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, added:
“Two of the seven Closure Orders in December were for businesses where they had failed to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business. It is unacceptable that some food businesses are choosing to operate outside of the law. All food business owners, big or small, whether trading from a business premises, in the home, from a mobile unit, food truck and/or online, must be aware of food hygiene and food safety legislation. Maintaining high food safety standards protects consumers and supports the long-term success of businesses, and enforcement action is taken where necessary to ensure compliance,” said Mr Dempsey.
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.
HPRA: Six in Ten Irish adults use cosmetics beyond their expiry or recommended shelf life
Six in Ten Irish adults use cosmetics beyond their expiry or recommended shelf life
HPRA urges public to follow shelf-life guidance and use products safely
New Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) research published today reveals that the majority of Irish adults continue to use cosmetic products beyond their expiry date or recommended shelf life. According to its national survey, six in 10 (60%) people are willing to disregard expiry dates or the ‘open jar’ symbol – an oversight that may pose health risks. The findings also highlight a significant gap in consumer understanding of cosmetic product labelling, with just four in 10 (41%) aware of the ‘open jar’ symbol. This symbol indicates the timeframe after opening during which the product remains safe to use. After this time, it may begin to degrade and pose a risk to consumers. The HPRA warns that using expired cosmetics can reduce their effectiveness and, in some cases, increase the risk of irritation or other adverse reactions.
“Cosmetics are a staple in many people’s daily routines with half of adults (49%) using four or more products each day. When used as intended, cosmetics are generally very safe,” said Lisa Byrne, Cosmetic Product Manager at HPRA. “However, our research reveals a clear gap in consumer understanding and awareness on product shelf-life – and a tendency to overlook expiry guidance”.
The research also found:
- More than a quarter (28%) of respondents have purchased what they suspected were counterfeit cosmetics. Of these, four in ten made their purchase online.
- Over one in three (35%) Irish adults reported experiencing a side effect from cosmetic products, most commonly skin irritation or rashes.
- Reports of side effects increased to 41% among those willing to use cosmetic products beyond expiry and use by dates, and to 54% among those who may have purchased counterfeit products.
- Consumers were far more likely to ‘always’ review instructions (37%) and ingredients (30%) on labels than to check best-before dates (23%).
- When deciding which cosmetic products to purchase, value for money was the most important factor (32%), followed by the product’s benefits (15%) and brand (15%).
Ms Byrne states that using products beyond their recommended use period can compromise both quality and safety.
“Ingredients can degrade or become contaminated, especially if exposed to light, air and bacteria. This can lead to chemical changes or the growth of harmful microbes, which may make the product unsafe for use. For example, over time the active ingredients in sunscreen, UV filters, may lose potency or efficacy, reducing its effectiveness to protect our skin from sun damage. We urge consumers to pay close attention to expiry dates and the ‘open jar’ symbol on all cosmetic labels, and to responsibly discard products that have exceeded their safe-use period.”
While one in three respondents say they have experienced a suspected side effect when using a cosmetic, our research shows this is more likely to happen among those who purchased cosmetics from unverified or unreputable sources and among those who do not engage with the expiry or use by date. By following a few simple steps – such as checking expiry dates, noting the ‘open jar’ symbol, and sourcing products responsibly – consumers can reduce the risk of undesirable effects, safeguard their health, and ensure their cosmetics perform as intended,” Byrne added.
HPRA tips for safer use of cosmetics:
- Do not use a cosmetic product beyond its recommended usage period or expiry date. The label on most products will feature either an ‘open jar’ symbol or a ‘best before’ date (known as a date of minimum durability).
- To help track the safe-use period, write the date of opening directly on the product label, making it easier to follow the timeframe indicated by the ‘open jar’ symbol.
- Follow the instructions on the label carefully.
- Ensure that the product is labelled with a European address. This means there is a company in Europe responsible for ensuring it complies with quality and safety requirements.
- Only purchase cosmetics from reputable, trusted outlets. Products sold via unknown platforms or through unofficial channels may not meet safety standards or comply with EU regulations.
- If you experience a serious reaction, report it directly to the HPRA at hpra.ie/report
The HPRA has a regulatory role in relation to the sale and supply of cosmetics in Ireland. This includes investigating non-compliance with EU regulations and monitoring reported undesirable effects and adverse reactions to products. To protect consumer health, it monitors the market in collaboration with the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service to identify and address safety and quality issues, undertaking investigations as appropriate when there are product safety concerns. Consumer reports of serious undesirable effects associated with cosmetic products play a vital role in helping the HPRA identify potential public health and safety concerns.
The HPRA commissioned this research to benchmark consumer understanding and behaviours in relation to cosmetic product use.
Health Products Regulatory Authority announces appointment of new Chief Executive
HEALTH PRODUCTS REGULATORY AUTHORITY
ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is pleased to announce that Ms Grainne Power has been appointed Chief Executive with effect from 1 January, 2026. Ms Power brings significant experience from across the health products sector and throughout her career has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to both public and animal health. She is currently Director of Compliance at the HPRA where she is responsible for an extensive range of licensing, inspection, market surveillance and enforcement activities relating to medicinal products, blood, tissues and cells, controlled substances and cosmetics. Prior to that, she held the position of Director of Human Products Authorisation and Registration where she was responsible for overseeing the assessment of authorisation applications for medicines and clinical trials.
As Chief Executive, Ms Power will lead the HPRA in its mission to protect and enhance human and animal health through the regulation of health products. Her leadership will also steer the organisation’s strategic ambitions, beginning with the imminent launch of its new 2026–2028 corporate strategy. She succeeds Dr Lorraine Nolan, who’s tenure as Chief Executive is concluding at the end of this year.
Prof Michael Donnelly, Chairman of the Authority, welcomed Ms Power’s appointment; “The Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Grainne Power as Chief Executive of the HPRA. On behalf of the Authority, I extend our sincere congratulations and a warm welcome to Grainne as she assumes this pivotal leadership role. Her appointment comes at a significant time for the organisation, and we look forward to working together to build on the organisation’s strong position. We look forward to supporting her leadership and wish her every success.”
Ms Power has over 20 years of regulatory, scientific and leadership experience in the health products industry, having held a number of senior management roles across both the public and private sectors. She joined the HPRA in 2018. Before entering the public sector, she held senior quality assurance roles in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, managing systems and processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. She also gained earlier experience in quality-related roles within the veterinary medicines and medical devices sectors.
Ms Power holds a degree in Biotechnology from Dublin City University and postgraduate diplomas from both University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
Ms Power is a current member of the Council of the pharmacy regulator, the PSI. Members are appointed by the Minister for Health to act in the public interest in overseeing the regulatory responsibilities of the PSI as the pharmacy regulator.
Irish Technology Consultancy Konversational Accelerates Expansion in United States
Irish Technology Consultancy Konversational Accelerates Expansion in United States
- Senior appointments charged with driving commercial growth in North American market
- Konversational Group targeting turnover of €20 million in 2026
- Dublin headquartered firm among the most experienced ServiceNow partners globally
Monday, Nov 24: Konversational, the Irish technology consultancy is ramping up its operations in the United States with the appointment of Andrew Paolino and Chris Grassi to its senior leadership team. Both are vastly experienced technology leaders and will spearhead the firm’s commercial growth in the U.S following its opening in New York only four months ago. Konversational, one of the most experienced ServiceNow partners globally is targeting revenue growth of €20 million in 2026 across the group’s operations in Ireland, UK, Europe and the U.S.
Founded in 2020, Konversational is among the most experienced ServiceNow Customer Relationship Management Workflow partners globally. The launch into the U.S market comes less than two years after expansion into France, Switzerland and Germany. The appointment of both Paolino and Grassi represents a serious mark of intent by the Dublin headquartered firm to capitalise on the significant demand in the U.S for customer services technologies, with an estimated market value of €3.4 billion ($4 billion).
With a combined forty years’ experience, Paolino and Grassi will be chiefly responsible for commercial development in the North America market with a revenue target of over €5 million within the first twelve months. They will also lead talent acquisition with half of the 40 roles earmarked for the New York office already filled. Konversational currently employs 100 IT professionals across seven locations in Dublin, London, New York, Paris, Nantes, Zurich and Munich with that figure anticipated to reach 120 by 2026.
Paolino and Grassi have deep experience within the technology sector. Both held senior roles at Column Technologies, a global technology and software provider, before going on to co-found Highmetric in 2015. It developed deep expertise in the customer service area of the ServiceNow platform, scaling rapidly and was acquired via private equity in 2021 rebranding to NewRocket.
As an Elite partner of ServiceNow, Konversational are the preferred partner for the end-to-end deployment and implementation of ServiceNow’s AI-powered Customer and Industry Workflows platform. The platform, which encompasses the customer lifecycle from lead to cash, enables enterprise companies to grow faster, increase efficiencies, and provide enhanced customer service.
John Gilleran, Co-CEO Konversational said,
“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew and Chris. Both are hugely experienced technology professionals with exceptional management and business development skills and bring a wealth of knowledge and depth of expertise to the team. They join the company at a key time as we continue to build and develop in the United States, a market that we regard as key to our continued commercial growth. I look forward to working closely with both and to bringing Konversational’s unrivalled knowledge of Customer Relationship Management on ServiceNow to clients in the U.S.
Andrew Paolino commented,
“Konversational is at an exciting point in its journey. Its move into the United States is a bold statement of intent and reflects its huge commercial ambitions. I have been impressed by the depth of talent, emphasis on high quality service-delivery, and industry knowledge and the significant opportunities that exist for the company and look forward to bringing this unrivalled expertise to clients in the North America market.”
Chris Grassi said,
“Konversational has scaled rapidly across the UK, Ireland and Europe and is hugely ambitious to expand even further. In a hugely competitive technology market, Konversational stands out. Its strong focus on Customer Relationship Management, its technical skills, sectoral knowledge and expertise are best-in-class. Significant opportunities exist in the United States, a market that has been identified as core to its continued growth. I am hugely excited about what lies ahead and about playing a key role in its next chapter.”