Urgent warning issued for Valentine's Day over 20 million dodgy blue pills

A warning has been issued to men ahead of Valentine's Day who are buying unauthorised erectile dysfunction (ED) pills, as almost 20 million drugs have been seized over the past five years.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has revealed that their criminal department came across around 19.5 million pills between 2021 and 2025.

Andy Morling, the head of the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit, said that many of the pills contained no active ingredient or were the wrong dose. Viagra from a pharmacy costs around £4 without prescription, while fake versions can start from £1.

Morling believes that the 'stigma and embarrassment' behind erectile dysfunction are 'being exploited by criminals selling fake medicines that can seriously harm your health'.

“These seizures show the sheer scale of the illegal market for erectile dysfunction medicines in the UK – and the risks people are taking without realising,” Morling said in a press release.

ED effects between 4.3 and 5 million men in the UK (Getty Stock Images)

Fake erectile dysfunction accounts taken down

The MHRA found that over 1,500 websites and social media accounts were illegally selling medical products in 2025, and subsequently removed around 1,200 social media posts.

“Any medicine not authorised for sale in the UK can be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or the negative health effects they can have,” Morling added.

“These pills may look genuine, but many are potentially dangerous. These products may contain no active ingredient, the wrong dose, hidden drugs or toxic ingredients.”

The 'embarrassment' of erectile dysfunction is being 'exploited by criminals' (Getty Stock Images)

How common is erectile dysfunction?

The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) found that 50-55 percent of all British men between 40 and 70 years old have some degree of ED.

"Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is very common, particularly in men over 40. It's usually nothing to worry about, but see a GP if it keeps happening," the NHS says.

The health service notes that ED is not just being unable to get an erection, but also being 'unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex'.

Men have been urged to stop buying unauthorised pills (Getty Stock Images)

Causes of erectile dysfunction

While 'most men occasionally fail to get or keep an erection', the NHS says 'this is usually caused by stress, tiredness or drinking too much alcohol, and it's nothing to worry about'.

ED can also be caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, depression or anxiety.

"Depending on the cause, you may still be able to get an erection at other times, such as when you wake up. Sometimes you might also have low sex drive (loss of libido)," it adds.