New research by Oxford Online Pharmacy has found almost 40% of adults living in Greater London have obtained medication on the black market, putting lives at risk and funding criminal enterprises.
The findings show Greater London has the highest rates of people taking prescription-only medicines illegally and nearly double the UK average of 20%. The figures also suggest that people are sourcing more than one type of medication via the black market.
The most popular black-market medicines in London are prescription-only hair loss treatments such as finasteride, dutasteride, corticosteroids (35%), closely followed by insomnia drugs or ‘sleeping tablets’ (31%) and anti-anxiety medications (30%). A further 28% have bought black market weight loss drugs and 26% have done so for erectile dysfunction treatments.
The black market for medicine is growing, representing a serious risk to public health. In June 2025, as part of INTERPOL’s Operation Pangea, the MHRA seized almost 8 million doses of illegal medicines. Medicines are being sold alongside other illegal products like Class A drugs, weapons, and fake designer goods.
Online sellers, including unlicensed online pharmacies, are the most common source of black-market medication (27%), closely followed by family members (26%) and hair and beauty salons (20%). A further 15% of people say they have obtained them from a local corner shop.
Kiran Jones, Clinical Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy issues an urgent warning to Londoners considering or taking black market medication:
“There is no safe way to take prescription-only medication from an unlicensed source, even if it is given to you by a family member or friend.
“The black market for medication sits outside of regulation and has no oversight, making it extremely dangerous. Products could contain the wrong active ingredients, different dosages to what’s advertised or best for you, or inactive substances meaning they won’t work or treat your underlying illness.
“There is no guarantee whether black market medications are manufactured or transported in a safe way, leading to contamination and degradation. They could contain potent and toxic unlisted substances which if taken could cause adverse effects and even death from overdose or poisoning.
“Some medications, like opioid painkillers, anti-depressants and benzodiazepines are restricted via legitimate channels due to their addiction risks. If you take them without needing them from a clinical perspective, or take them too often or in high doses, you could become dependent on them.
“There are also financial risks from sharing credit card and identity information. Legitimate pharmacies and healthcare providers accept secure, traceable payment methods. Cash or bank transfer requests are a common tactic among illegal sellers to avoid detection and create an untraceable transaction trail.
“This makes it incredibly difficult to track fraud, report sellers, or seek support if there’s a problem. If you have found a provider online, such as an online pharmacy, and aren’t sure whether it is legitimate, check it is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council before purchasing. The UK Government’s FakeMeds campaign page also provides useful information about how to spot suspicious online sellers.
“If you suspect a medicine is fake, do not take it. Report it directly to the MHRA using its Yellow Card scheme. If you are experiencing negative side effects from any medicine, whether it is prescribed to you legally or illegally, see your doctor, a pharmacist or nurse. In the event of a medical emergency, dial 999.
Why do people obtain prescription-only medication illegally?
Kiran adds:
“There are many reasons why people look to the black market for medication.
“The biggest driver is that they do not qualify for them on the NHS but are seeking help for a health problem they are experiencing.
“Drug shortages and rising costs can also push people into finding alternative ways to source their medication. Others are seeking more convenient ways to get hold of their medication if there a long waiting times to see a healthcare provider like a local GP.
“There may also be addiction drivers, where a person has benefitted from a prescription medication such as pain relief or support with insomnia, who no longer qualifies for it from a clinical point of view but continues to depend on its effects.
“Another factor to consider is shame or embarrassment. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, or erectile dysfunction may be difficult for people to talk about and seek help for. Instead, they look to the black market for a more informal and convenient ‘no questions asked’ solution.
“Healthcare professionals speak to patients every day about issues such as these; they have heard everything before and are trained to help you with no judgement. Seeking advice and treatment elsewhere is not safe and could ultimately lead to worse outcomes for your health and wellbeing.”
