An investigation has uncovered the illegal sale of injectable vitamins on the e-commerce platform Etsy. Among the concerning findings, one seller reportedly included unsolicited erectile dysfunction pills in packages sent to buyers. The consumer advocacy group Which? conducted this investigation, revealing multiple listings featuring generic packaging for products such as “Vitamin C 10 x 5ml” and “Multivitamin infusion 10 x 10ml.”
According to Which?, many of these listings lacked essential nutritional information, including ingredient lists, active ingredient quantities, and dosage warnings. The organization purchased four products from two sellers and noted that Etsy did not intervene during the transactions. Following the investigation, both shops were closed, and Which? reported them to Etsy and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Sue Davies, head of consumer policy at Which?, highlighted the health risks posed by the lack of oversight on Etsy. “The dangerous lack of oversight on Etsy is putting people’s health at risk and allowing injectable vitamins to be sold illegally,” she stated. She urged government and regulatory bodies to take action against these illegal listings to protect consumers.
In October 2025, investigators ordered injectable vitamin C, vitamin D3, and multivitamins from a seller called MummyWorldTreasures. Reports indicate that the vials arrived in boxes clearly stating they should not be sold without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. The vitamin C packaging also warned that dosage must be determined by a physician.
Along with the vitamins, buyers received three loose pills that were not identified. The seller explained that these were “free samples” intended for male enhancement. Lab tests revealed that one blue pill contained sildenafil, while the yellow pill had tadalafil, both active ingredients used in erectile dysfunction medications. The sale of these substances without a prescription or pharmacist supervision is illegal in the UK.
The investigation also noted concerns regarding the multivitamin packaging, which had leaked, exposing at least one vial to air and potential contaminants. The packaging indicated that the products were sourced from India and Spain, suggesting they were unauthorized for sale in the UK. Which? emphasized that these items could either be real but illegally imported or counterfeit and thus illegal to sell.
Further investigation involved ordering vials labelled as vitamin B12 from another seller, LuminaSkin. The products arrived with only Spanish instructions, including a bold warning that translated to “MEDICAMENTO SUJETO A PRESCRIPCION MEDICA.” Many UK consumers may not be able to understand this warning, raising further concerns about accessibility and safety.
Despite the apparent crackdown on these illegal listings, Which? pointed out that similar injectable vitamin products continue to appear on the Etsy marketplace. “This shows just how easily these listings are slipping through the net online,” the organization reported, expressing worry that sellers remain active despite violations.
In response to the investigation, a spokesperson for Etsy reiterated that medical drugs and devices claiming to treat conditions are prohibited on the platform. “The listings flagged by Which? are no longer available, and our team is actively monitoring for any injectable supplements that violate this policy,” the spokesperson stated.
Meanwhile, the MHRA confirmed its ongoing collaboration with major online marketplaces to prevent the sale of illegal medicines. A spokesperson welcomed actions taken to remove unlawful listings but acknowledged the continuous challenges in regulating online sales.
As of now, MummyWorldTreasures has not responded to requests for comments from Which?, and attempts to contact LuminaSkin were unsuccessful due to the closure of the store. The situation raises significant concerns about consumer safety and the effectiveness of existing regulations in the rapidly evolving world of e-commerce.
