An investigation conducted in Spain found that 45% of medicines declared illegal in the last two years are still advertised and sold illegally online.

Omissions

• The figure originates from a single journalistic investigation by Maldita.es (published 05/06/2026); no independent or official (AEMPS/EMA) confirmation of the exact 45% figure was located, so the claim rests on one secondary source.
• The investigation measures medicines still being ADVERTISED on major platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Google, TikTok), whereas the MEP's wording also refers to them being 'sold' online; the 'advertised' element is documented, the direct 'sale' element is inferred.
• The data was available before the session date (published June 2026), so the MEP could have known it.

Sources

• SecondaryMaldita.es (Spanish original)El 45% de los medicamentos prohibidos en España se siguen anunciando en Facebook, Instagram, Google y TikTok. 'Facebook, Instagram, Google o TikTok anuncian el 45% de los medicamentos declarados ilegales por la ley española en los últimos 2 años.'
• SecondaryMaldita.es (English version)'45% of Medicines Banned in Spain Still Run Ads on...' — 'Facebook, Instagram, Google, and TikTok advertised 45% of the medications deemed illegal under Spanish law in the last two years.'