text: One million doses of dangerous steroids, erectile dysfunction meds and sedatives seized in Ireland in 2017
  The Health Product Regulatory Authority has seen a dramatic spike in the number of these potentially killer drugs popping up in Ireland
  0:08, 22 Apr 2018
  THESE are some of the one million doses of dangerous steroids, erectile dysfunction meds and sedatives seized here in 2017.
  The Health Product Regulatory Authority has seen a dramatic spike in the number of these potentially killer drugs popping up in Ireland.
  The HPRA seized 1m doses of drugs last year
  Some 948,915 tablets and vials of falsified or illegal meds were seized in 2017 by the HPRA — a jump of more than 40 per cent on seizure stats in 2016.
  Some 47 per cent of last year's dodgy meds were anabolic steroids that are being flogged online and in gyms across the country.
  One fifth of the pills stopped were dangerous sedatives while 13 per cent of the one million doses seized in 2017 were erectile dysfunction meds.
  HPRA Director of Compliance John Lynch says he is shocked by the increase in the number of these potent drugs on sale illegally in Ireland and the number of people willing to risk their well-being.
  He said: "It's very concerning to see this year on year increase in detentions which indicates people are continuing to put their health in the hands of individuals who operate unauthorised supply routes.
  "We know from our investigations and prosecutions that those who seek to profit from illegal medicines have little regard for the health of the end users of the medicines they are supplying.
  "It is of continuing concern that members of the public would use potent prescription medicines without medical supervision."
  The HPRA have brought six prosecution cases in 2017 and six formal cautions on the back of last year's seizures.
  Mr. John Lynch, Director of Compliance at HPRA
  And Lynch told how the State are especially worried about the spike in seizures of dangerous steroids here.
  He said: "We are particularly concerned at the rate of increase in detentions of anabolic steroids which indicates a demand among some people for these highly potent prescription medicines.
  "The abuse and misuse of anabolic steroids can have serious consequences for the long-term health of the individuals who take them.
  "They have been linked to a range of significant side effects including liver damage, blood clots, heart attacks and strokes.
  "For men, the risks also include reduced sperm count and infertility.
  "We would urge anyone using illegally-sourced anabolic steroids to stop doing so and to seek advice from their healthcare professional if they have any concerns about their health."
  In October last year, Latvian gym instructor Agris Bremsmiths was fined €5,000 after he was found to be selling dangerous anabolic steroids through a Steroids Ireland Facebook page following an investigation from the HPRA.
  Also in 2017, mother of two Lynne Fitzmaurice, from Tallaght in Dublin, was hit with a €7,000 fine after she was found guilty of importing €27,000 of anabolic steroids.
  The HPRA also found the dangerous weight loss agent DNP 200 during an investigation into a Dublin body-builder named Hans Vogel who was caught with "a toxic brew of medications" at his home in Cork Street.
  The online diet pill was responsible for the death of a young Irish man in 2014 — unrelated to Hans Vogel's case.
  HPRA chief Lynch warned people not to purchase drugs from unregulated sources as they pose "a potentially serious health risk".
  He said: "We continue to warn the public not to buy medicines from unregulated sources. In the case of anabolic steroid containing products, they pose a potentially serious health risk.
  "As they are illegal and may be falsified, there can be no guarantee as to their safety or quality. These potent prescription medicines should only be prescribed by and administered under the supervision of registered medical practitioners and supplied by registered pharmacies."