Daniel O'Neill, the owner of a gym in Ballymena, has been fined £1,000 plus an offender levy after breaching Human Medicines Regulations.

The 59-year-old appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to the offence. The court was informed that an enforcement officer from the Department of Health's Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) visited O'Neill's business, DISQ Gym at Ross Court, on Thursday, 9 October 2025. During the inspection, the officer discovered and seized a quantity of unlicensed weight-loss medicines that were intended for sale or supply.

The investigation was directed by Peter Moore, Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer at the Department of Health. He warned of the significant health risks associated with bypassng the regulated medicines supply chain.

"This conviction sends a clear message that there are consequences if a person attempts to bypass the regulated system and controls which are in place to ensure public safety and integrity of the medicines supply chain," Peter Moore said. "I would urge people to consider the implications of buying drugs online or from dubious sources – there is no way of knowing what you are buying is what you think it is, and this can have serious consequences for your health. Of particular concern to MRG is the supply of unlicensed weight-loss injections outside the normal healthcare arena. This investigation has confirmed unlicensed medication in circulation, which presents a real risk of adverse health effects. We continue to monitor the marketplace and will take effective action where this is necessary."

Aaron McKendry, Interim Head of the Medicines Regulatory Group, emphasised the danger of using unauthorised medicinal products, noting they are often counterfeit or substandard. He stressed that prescription-only medicines should only be taken following a consultation with a GP, pharmacist, or qualified healthcare professional.

"The risk to public safety posed by the unlawful distribution and misuse of unauthorised medicinal products in Northern Ireland is a serious issue. Taking short cuts and using these medicines could expose you to a dangerous counterfeit or substandard medicine," Aaron McKendry added.

"It is extremely important that people take prescription only medicines after consultation with their GP, pharmacist or other healthcare professional who have access to patient health records and can consider the risks and benefits associated with every medicine. Medicines obtained through unregulated or unapproved sources will often not have been prescribed by a healthcare professional, may not have been subject to the normal safety and quality controls on manufacture and, as such, may not be of the required quality or be of the nature described.

"The Department is committed to taking all possible steps to stop illegal promotion, supply or misuse of medicines and when appropriate, to alerting the public about the dangers of using medicines outside of the regulated supply chain."