Patients buying painkillers, erectile dysfunction treatments and other medicines on the black market are being warned they could be putting their health at serious risk, after millions of unlicensed pills were seized by authorities.
Figures obtained by the BBC show that more than 57 million doses of unauthorised medication*have been confiscated across the UK by government agencies over the past five years.
The drugs include illicit painkillers, anti-anxiety medication, sleeping tablets and erectile dysfunction treatments, many of which were sold online without any medical oversight.
Julian Spinks, a GP based in Medway, Kent, warned that patients buying medicines illegally face multiple risks. He said there was a danger of receiving “a dummy pill, a completely different medication or the correct drug at the wrong dose”.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said medicines sold outside regulated channels do not meet safety standards. A spokesperson said, “Products purchased in this way will not meet our strict quality and safety standards, and taking such medicines may put your health at risk.”
Data released following a freedom of information request to the MHRA shows that more than 34 million doses were seized in just the past two years, between 2023–24 and 2024–25. In the most recent year, unlicensed erectile dysfunction drugs were the most commonly confiscated items.
Dr Spinks said he understood why some people turn to online sellers. “A lot of them are very embarrassed and don’t want to talk to their doctor about it,” he said.
However, he warned that avoiding medical advice can be dangerous. “They are missing out on the additional checks doctors do to make sure they can take it safely and to look for underlying causes,” he added.
“There’s a good chance they’re buying a dummy pill and they are wasting their money.”
Health experts continue to urge patients to only obtain medicines through legitimate pharmacies and healthcare providers, warning that the apparent convenience of black market drugs can carry serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.
