FOI - Unlicensed medicines on Amazon & TikTok
Published 30 October 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vmd-foieir-requests-july-2025/foi-unlicensed-medicines-on-amazon-tiktok
ATI1083 Request
1) There is a constant promotion of unlicensed flea and tick medicines on Amazon & TikTok. The platforms are unwilling to act against illegal items that are reported even when full legislation is provided to them in the report. The VMD is aware of the poor enforcement on these platforms (FOI from Q4 2024 the VMD had 48 reports). What measures have the VMD put in place to ensure these online marketplaces remove unlicensed medicines effectively?
2) It is a criminal offence to sell, offer to sell or distribute an unlicensed medicine. Amazon holds the unlicensed medicines in its fulfilment warehouses & distributes the unlicensed medicine through their network of drivers. Several reports to Amazon about the status of the unlicensed items will be submitted & Amazon always refuse to act. Amazon is complicit in the supply of unlicensed medicines. Their actions create a serious danger to public health and potential death to pets. A clear breach of the VMR. What action has been taken against Amazon for facilitating the supply & delivery of unlicensed medicine to pets and pet owners.
3) What is the status of the stock held in Amazon’s warehouses? The VMD promote enforcement & seizures via the MAVIS publication. This is normally a box or two of imported medicines. The Amazon warehouses contain thousands of doses. Why has this product not been seized & communicated in MAVIS?
4) How many doses of unlicensed flea & tick medicine have been seized in the last 12 months?
Our reply
1) There is a constant promotion of unlicensed flea and tick medicines on Amazon & TikTok. The platforms are unwilling to act against illegal items that are reported even when full legislation is provided to them in the report. The VMD is aware of the poor enforcement on these platforms (FOI from Q4 2024 the VMD had 48 reports). What measures have the VMD put in place to ensure these online marketplaces remove unlicensed medicines effectively?
Our Enforcement Policy sets out the general principles and approach that we will take to enforce the Veterinary Medicines Regulations (VMR). We work closely with Amazon who have deployed algorithms to detect and prevent the illegal sale of veterinary medicines. Amazon also acts quickly to cases that we report to them to remove listings. We are currently reviewing our strategy and approach to how medicines are sold and advertised on social media platforms and online marketplaces to ensure anyone involved in these activities is complying with the VMR.
2) It is a criminal offence to sell, offer to sell or distribute an unlicensed medicine. Amazon holds the unlicensed medicines in its fulfilment warehouses & distributes the unlicensed medicine through their network of drivers. Several reports to Amazon about the status of the unlicensed items will be submitted & Amazon always refuse to act. Amazon is complicit in the supply of unlicensed medicines. Their actions create a serious danger to public health and potential death to pets. A clear breach of the VMR. What action has been taken against Amazon for facilitating the supply & delivery of unlicensed medicine to pets and pet owners.
In keeping with Defra’s approach to better regulation and enforcement, we recognise that the best way to achieve compliance is to ensure, by guidance and advice, that those carrying out regulated activities understand their responsibilities. We therefore seek to work with Amazon to assist them in complying with the legislation, as described above.
3) What is the status of the stock held in Amazon’s warehouses? The VMD promote enforcement & seizures via the MAVIS publication. This is normally a box or two of imported medicines. The Amazon warehouses contain thousands of doses. Why has this product not been seized & communicated in MAVIS?
We have no record of seizures of veterinary medicines taking place from an Amazon fulfilment centre. ‘Enforcement’ refers to any action taken by us in relation to suspected breaches of the VMR, seizing products is just one of those actions described in our Enforcement Policy.
4) How many doses of unlicensed flea & tick medicine have been seized in the last 12 months?
The Seizure notices from the last 12 months are published on gov.uk, which includes the volumes of product.