The dangers of counterfeit medication ordered online in the EU

Priority question for written answer P-001561/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dirk Gotink (PPE)

Last Friday, a person died in the Netherlands after taking fake oxycodon pills, bought online without prescription. The authorities have warned that these pills contain the highly dangerous synthetic opioid isotonitazepyne, a substance from the nitazene family.

These substances are often linked to production in China. Reports indicate that they are manufactured in Chinese laboratories and distributed via rapidly changing online networks. The sellers hide behind multiple identities, frequently change addresses and use encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram, making them difficult to tackle.

• 1.How can the European Commission ensure that such dangerous substances are not fraudulently distributed within the EU?
• 2.What measures is the European Commission planning to raise public awareness of the dangers of counterfeit pain medication and synthetic opioids?
• 3.Given the rapidly changing nature of illicit drug networks, what additional steps will the Commission take to strengthen cooperation with third countries, in particular China, to tackle the production and export of synthetic opioids in counterfeit medication?

Submitted: 16.4.2025