Nearly 70,000 illegal hair-loss drugs have been confiscated by UK authorities over the past five years, according to alarming new figures. Between 2021 and 2026, Border Force agents seized 65,194 unlicensed doses, with nearly a quarter intercepted in the last year alone.
Black Market Thrives on Rising Demand
The data, obtained under Freedom of Information laws from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), highlights a growing black market. Aesthetics product expert Anastasia Lesnikova, who compiled the figures, warned that surging demand is fuelling illegal suppliers. It is creating an environment where illegal suppliers can thrive,
she said. While tens of thousands of illegal doses are being intercepted, many more may be circulating undetected.
Health Risks from Unlicensed Pills
Most of these drugs are seized at the border because they are not licensed for sale in the UK and may contain harmful ingredients. Legally available hair-loss tablets are prescription-only and require a healthcare professional's assessment. The MHRA urges patients and medics to report suspected illegal medicines and adverse reactions via its Yellow Card scheme.
Last year, several men using the unlicensed drug dutasteride reported erectile dysfunction and suicidal thoughts. The medication is often promoted by influencers on TikTok, with videos of young men showcasing hair regrowth amassing millions of views.
Millions of Brits Affected
Around 14 to 16 percent of men in the UK use hair-loss drugs, with approximately 400,000 private prescriptions issued monthly. Balding is considered cosmetic, so NHS treatment is not available. Celebrities such as Elon Musk, Pete Davidson, and Joe Rogan have reportedly used these medications.
The MHRA recently announced the seizure of millions of illicit medicines worth £4.6 million, including over 130,000 doses of steroids and unauthorised drugs sold via mail order.
