A recent Europol report reveals that criminals are actively using digital platforms to trade counterfeit medicines across Europe. The Latvian Medicines Verification Organisation (LZVO) urges the public to purchase medicines only from registered pharmacies and medical institutions and to remain vigilant when shopping online.
In recent years, the demand for certain prescription medicines has surged, particularly for Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes treatment that has gained widespread popularity as a so-called “miracle” weight-loss solution. Criminals have seized this opportunity, using Ozempic as bait to lure individuals seeking rapid weight loss. The promise of obtaining this medication without a prescription, at an unusually low price, and with fast delivery makes these offers which are widely circulated on social media highly appealing.
However, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) warns that counterfeiters are not only targeting weight-loss, muscle-building, or potency-enhancing products. The digital space is increasingly being used to advertise falsified and non-compliant medicines intended for serious conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, and diabetes. Counterfeit medicines present a severe and direct threat to human life, as they may contain incorrect dosages of active ingredients or harmful contaminants.
How to avoid counterfeit medicines
Social media has become a key channel for distributing falsified medicines, offering criminals access to a vast audience, targeted advertising capabilities, and anonymity that makes identifying and prosecuting offenders difficult.
Consumers are frequently deceived by professionally designed ads, fake reviews, and counterfeit packaging, which can replicate manufacturer logos, serial numbers, and security features. Europol also highlights the growing use of 3D printing in counterfeiting processes and predicts that artificial intelligence will increasingly be used to automate counterfeiting operations in the future.
To protect themselves, LZVO urges the public to follow key safety principles:
✔ Purchase medicines only from licensed distributors. For the past decade, EU pharmacies selling medicines online have been required to display a standardized logo on their websites. In Latvia, only non-prescription medicines can be legally sold through online pharmacy platforms. Prescription medicines should only be obtained from registered pharmacies or healthcare institutions, as their authenticity can only be verified within the legal supply chain.
✔ Be cautious of advertisements on social media. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do not purchase medicines via direct messages, unfamiliar websites, or social media ads.
✔ Check the packaging. In the EU, prescription medicines are required to have unique identifiers and security features. If a medicine lacks these elements, it could be counterfeit.
✔ Report suspicious medicines or offers. If you encounter medication with signs of counterfeiting or suspicious online offers, report them to the Health Inspectorate of the Republic of Latvia (Veselības Inspekcija).
LZVO’s role in combatting counterfeit medicines
Since 2019 Latvia’s medicines verification system has ensured that prescription medicines dispensed in pharmacies and medical institutions are verified and authentic. This system – implemented across Europe under the EU Falsified Medicines Directive (2011/62/EU) and the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU 2016/161) – prevents falsified medicines from entering the legal supply chain. As a result, Latvia upholds a high standard of safety and reliability for prescription medicines.
However, Europol emphasizes that risks are shifting to social media and the dark web. The counterfeit medicine trade not only threatens individual health but also undermines trust in pharmaceutical manufacturers, doctors, and pharmacists, who cannot guarantee treatment effectiveness if patients obtain medicines through unregulated sources.
Beyond public health concerns, the sale of counterfeit medicines supports organized crime, contributing to corruption, labour exploitation, and money laundering. Patients who unknowingly purchase falsified medicines may not receive the treatment they need, while the pharmaceutical industry loses critical revenue that could otherwise be invested in research and innovation.
The global threat of counterfeit medicines requires close cooperation between governments, industry stakeholders, and the public. Strengthening consumer awareness, regulatory enforcement, and robust verification systems are key elements in maintaining a safe and reliable pharmaceutical market.