An investigation has uncovered that injectable vitamins are being sold illegally on the online marketplace Etsy, with one seller surprising customers by including erectile dysfunction pills in their shipments. The consumer advocacy group Which? reported that multiple listings featured unbranded, AI-generated packaging for products like “Vitamin C 10 x 5ml” and “Multivitamin infusion 10 x 10ml.” These products lacked necessary nutritional information, including ingredient lists and dosage warnings, raising serious health concerns.
The investigation involved purchasing four products from two different sellers. Despite the clear violations of health regulations, Etsy did not intervene in these transactions. Both shops, identified as MummyWorldTreasures and LuminaSkin, have since been closed, and Which? has reported them to both Etsy and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Sue Davies, head of consumer policy at Which?, expressed alarm over the situation. She stated, “The dangerous lack of oversight on Etsy is putting people’s health at risk and allowing injectable vitamins to be sold illegally. Buying these items is risky as they could be counterfeit or, even if they are genuine, shouldn’t be used without medical oversight.” She urged government and regulatory bodies to take decisive action against these illegal listings.
In October 2025, investigators ordered injectable vitamin C, vitamin D3, and multivitamins from MummyWorldTreasures. The packages received included vials clearly marked as not to be sold without a prescription from a registered medical practitioner. The vitamin C bottles indicated that a physician should determine the dosage, highlighting the potential dangers of self-administration.
Accompanying the order were three loose, unnamed pills, which MummyWorldTreasures described as “a free sample of Men’s enhancement supplement to help with blood flow and stamina.” Lab tests later revealed that the blue and yellow pills contained sildenafil and tadalafil, both of which are used in erectile dysfunction medications. Selling these substances without a prescription is illegal, further complicating the case against the seller.
The packaging indicated that the products were imported from India and Spain, meaning they are unauthorized for sale in the UK. According to Which?, this raises questions about the authenticity of the items. “Either these items are real and illegally imported and sold, or, like some other items Which? has previously found on online marketplaces, they are counterfeit and therefore illegal to sell,” the organization noted.
Further complicating matters, investigators also ordered vials allegedly containing vitamin B12 from LuminaSkin. These arrived with packaging featuring only Spanish instructions, including a bold warning stating: “MEDICAMENTO SUJETO A PRESCRIPCION MEDICA.” This could confuse many UK buyers who may not speak Spanish, leaving them unaware of the potential risks associated with the product.
Despite the presence of illegal listings being reported, Which? found that similar injectable vitamin products continued to appear on Etsy shortly after the initial findings. “This shows just how easily these listings are slipping through the net online,” the group commented. Even when flagged and removed, new listings emerge almost immediately, indicating a significant oversight issue in monitoring these products.
Etsy responded to the investigation by confirming that medical drugs and devices are prohibited on their platform. A spokesperson stated, “The listings flagged by Which? are no longer available on our marketplace, and our team is actively monitoring for any injectable supplements that violate this policy.”
Meanwhile, the MHRA is working closely with major online marketplaces to prevent the sale of illegal medicines. A spokesperson emphasized their commitment to removing unlawful listings and protecting public health.
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight in online marketplaces. The presence of potentially harmful products underscores the need for vigilance among consumers and regulatory bodies alike to ensure that health and safety standards are upheld.
