How erectile dysfunction ‘stigma’ is being ‘exploited by criminals’
Men are being urged not to buy unauthorized erectile dysfunction pills online after 20 million illegal tablets were seized in the last five years.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning highlighting that the “stigma and shame” surrounding erectile dysfunction is being “exploited by criminals”.
The agency’s corrections unit seized nearly 19.5 million doses of so-called ED drugs between 2021 and 2025, including 4.4 million doses in 2025 alone.
The MHRA has warned that many of these illegal pills either do not contain any active ingredients or contain incorrect dosages. Worryingly, some have been found to contain hidden drugs and toxic substances.
Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s corrections unit, said: “Criminals who sell fake medicines that can seriously damage your health are taking advantage of stigma and shame.
“These seizures show the size of the illicit market for erectile dysfunction drugs in the UK and the risks people are unknowingly taking.
“Any medicines not permitted for sale in the UK may be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or their adverse health effects.
“These pills may look genuine, but many are potentially dangerous. These products may contain no active ingredients, wrong dosages, hidden drugs or toxic substances.”
Annual seizures of illegal erectile dysfunction pills have more than doubled since 2022.
The MHRA’s enforcement unit is also cracking down on online sellers.
Working with internet service providers, the regulator blocked more than 1,500 websites and social media accounts selling medical products illegally and removed 1,200 social media posts in 2025.
