21 deaths are directly linked to the sale of medicines via Funcaps.

Omissions

• The figure of 21 refers to the number of deaths for which the OM believes it can prove a CAUSAL link; the total number of deaths under investigation in connection with Funcaps is much higher — prosecutors had earlier related at least 49 deaths (Reuters, 17 November 2025) to the webshop, and another two deaths were still being investigated in August 2026 (which could bring the provable total to 23).
• The products sold via Funcaps are described in the sources as (new) psychoactive substances / drugs and fake medicines sold through an illegal webshop, not conventional authorised medicines; the claim's wording 'medicijnen' (medicines) is an approximation.
• The sources found are secondary news outlets largely reporting the same OM announcement, so the underlying figure originates from a single official (prosecutorial) source rather than from multiple independent datasets.
• All corroborating reporting (August 2026) predates the session date of 5 October 2026, so the data was available to the MEP.

Sources

• SecondaryNL TimesThe Public Prosecution Service (OM) believes it has enough evidence to prove that another three people died due to substances they bought on [Funcaps], bringing the total to 21.
• SecondaryNU.nlHet Openbaar Ministerie denkt te kunnen bewijzen dat nog eens drie mensen zijn overleden door middelen die zijn verkocht via de website [Funcaps]... Het aantal sterfgevallen waarbij het Openbaar Ministerie (OM) een causaal verband ziet met middelen van Funcaps kan dus nog oplopen tot 23.
• SecondaryNOSJustitie onderzoekt daarnaast nog twee sterfgevallen die mogelijk verband houden met door Funcaps verkochte middelen.
• SecondaryReutersDutch prosecutors on Monday said they were investigating at least 49 deaths that might be linked to an illegal pharmaceuticals webshop.