Over 730,000 doses of counterfeit medicines were discovered by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) last year.

According to the authority's 2014 Annual Report, 730,056 doses of ‘falsified' medicines were detained, with sedatives accounting for 56% of these products.

Some 13% were made up of erectile dysfunction products, while 7% were found to be weight loss products.

These counterfeit medicines led to the opening of over 3,700 enforcement cases and the initiation of 10 District Court prosecutions. Offences included the importation of products without legal authorisation and the supply of prescription-only medicines without a prescription.

"During the year, working with our partners in An Garda Síochána and Revenue's Customs Service, we detected more than 730,000 dosage units coming into Ireland. Once again, we urge members of the public not to take risks with their health and to remember that the consumption of even very small quantities of these illegal medicines can have very serious consequences," commented HPRA chief executive, Pat O'Mahony.

Meanwhile the annual report also revealed that there were 2,884 suspected adverse reaction (side-effect) reports relating to the use of human medicines last year, a small increase when compared with 2013. At least two in three of these reports came from pharmaceutical companies, while other sources included GPs, hospital doctors and community pharmacists.

The total number of new medicines authorised during 2014 was 615, while just over 100 medicine recalls were initiated during the 12-month period. Reasons for recalls included contamination issues and non-compliance with marketing authorisation.

Some 80 clinical trials involving humans were approved to begin in Ireland last year, down from 102 in 2013. One of the key areas of interest for clinical trials continues to be cancer.

The report can be downloaded here