eBay, the world's largest online retail company, in collaboration with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), was able to stop almost two million illegal medicines from hitting the market in 2024. This marks the success of AI algorithms in stopping the sale of unsafe and unregulated medicines in the UK.

Key Highlights:

• AI Algorithm Success:

eBay partnered with MHRA to roll out the latest AI technology that would stop 1.9 million violations of unregulated prescription and OTC medicines.

• Strategic Partnership:

MHRA deputy director of criminal enforcement, Andy Morling, said that the partnership was a "good success story" and underlined the importance of working with tech companies to prevent illegal listings before they go live.

• Focus on Counterfeit Weight Loss Drugs:

• Counterfeit weight loss drugs remain a "noisy threat" in public consciousness, though their illegal trade has declined significantly.

• MHRA cracked down on counterfeit semaglutide 1mg pens labeled as Ozempic in 2023, breaking the back of the problem.

• In 2024, MHRA seized no counterfeit weight loss drugs, indicating improved regulatory enforcement.

  
  

• Secured Supply Chain:

The UK's regulated pharmaceutical supply chain remains impenetrable to counterfeit products and so medicines dispensed by pharmacists are safe in the hands of the public.

• Social Media Regulation:

MHRA took down 150 social media posts selling fake weight loss pills in 2024 and cautioned against buying drugs from unauthenticated sources such as beauty parlours and websites.

• Statements from Leaders or Officials:

Andy Morling, MHRA deputy director of criminal enforcement, stated:

1. "Prevention is the name of the game... the work we do with eBay is indicative of the collaboration we want with tech companies."

2. On counterfeit products: "The public can trust the regulation... medicines from pharmacists will be genuine."

The success of this partnership between eBay and MHRA is a reflection of how technology can help protect the public. Improvements in AI capabilities and further regulation of illicit online sales yield authorities further mechanisms to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain and thereby reduce the risks facing public health.