Health Canada issued a warning to Canadians about purchasing health products online as thousands of packages were suspended or seized before international operations against counterfeit drugs entered the country.
From December 16, 2024 to May 16, 2025, Interpol led the Pangea XVII operation in 90 countries, resulting in over $88 million of illegal drugs being thrown 50.4 million times, 769 suspects arrested, and 123 criminals arrested history worldwide.
“Fake and unapproved drugs are a serious risk to public health. They can contain dangerous or illegal ingredients.
In Canada, Health Canada inspected 19,193 packages and stopped 7,096 from seizing an additional 539 at suspected borders containing an estimated $378,000 worth of counterfeit or other fraudulent health products.
Approximately 69% of the seized products were sexually enhanced drugs, and an additional 10%, including herbs and dietary forms, were supplements.
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Approximately 4% were veterinary and antiparacic drugs, 2% were hormones, 2% were antibiotics, and 1% were weight loss drugs.
“Health products sold online may look legal and safe, but in reality they may not be licensed to be sold in Canada and can be dangerous to your health,” Health Canada said in a news release.
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We note that unauthorized health products have not been evaluated by Health Canada for safety, efficacy, and quality, and can pose serious risks as a result.
For example, products can be counterfeited, badly stored, accidentally stuck, expired, or subject to recall.
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“Unauthorized drugs or natural health products may not contain active, incorrect, or dangerous additives, such as prescription drugs not listed on the label,” Health Canada says. “No licensed medical devices can be of poor quality and may not function or may not be safe.”
Wednesday's public recommendation urges Canadians to take steps to protect themselves. This includes contacting your state or territory pharmacy regulator to ensure that you are safe due to questions about online pharmacies.
Canadians are also advised to consult with health professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists, if they report medical products or illegal health products, or medical devices that include Health Canada, or adverse events or complaints that include medical devices.
You can also check the recall and safety alert database for advice on illegal health products if you have concerns. Health Canada has noted that it maintains a list of certified sexual enhancement products, skin lighting and other skin treatments, training supplements and poppers.
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