329 illegal medicine shipments intercepted in the Netherlands; 36% are erection drugs

The Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) and customs were a part of an international operation against the illegal medicine trade in the Netherlands, which resulted in the interception of 329 shipments. Around 60,000 pills, ampoules, tubes, and sprays were in the shipments.

Over 22,000 erection drugs were among the seized items, which amounts to 36 percent of the total. “For years, these drugs have been the most commonly found. In addition, other seized items like antibiotics and medicines are on the doping list,” said the inspectorate. All the items in question were seized and destroyed.

The IGJ and customs have seen that social media plays an integral role in the illegal trade. They emphasized the dangers of ordering medications from the Internet. “There is no inspection on these items. You do not know what you are ordering and what the effects are.”

The operation was conducted under the name SHIELD in October 2024. This action happens annually. A total of 30 countries took part, on this occasion. The operation, coordinated by Interpol, led to 11.1 million euros worth of illegal medicines being withdrawn from the market in Europe.