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Product Regulation & Liability

Singapore: HSA removes about 2,500 listings of illegal health products from e-commerce platforms

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In brief

On 20 July 2022, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced that it had removed over 2,500 listings of illegal health products from local e-commerce and social media platforms between January to June 2022, with over 800 product listings removed during a week of intensified surveillance between 23 and 30 June.

Key takeaways

  • Sellers and suppliers should note health products, including prescription medicines and medical devices, may not be supplied without a valid licence. An individual who sells health products without a valid licence or not in accordance with the conditions of such licence may face a fine of up to SGD 50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 2 years.
  • Further, anyone who supplies health products that are adulterated or counterfeit may face a fine of up to SGD 100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years.

In more detail

On 20 July 2022, the HSA announced that over 2,500 product listings of illegal health products were taken down from local e-commerce and social media platforms from January to June 2022.

This announcement followed the HSA’s participation in Operation Pangea, a global enforcement operation aimed at clamping down on the online sale of illegal health products. This was the HSA’s 15th consecutive year of participation.

From 23 to 30 June 2022, the HSA intensified online surveillance of local e-commerce platforms, and removed 800 product listings of illegal health products.

The removed product listings include unauthorised medicines and medical devices, including unregistered anti-diabetic medicines; unauthorised blood glucose monitoring devices; sexual enhancement products; prescription-only medicines; and COVID-19 related products.

Sellers and suppliers have been reminded not to sell prescription medicines and medical devices on e-commerce platforms, or health products that are adulterated or carry misleading claims.

The full HSA announcement may be found here.

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Andy Leck is the head of the Intellectual Property and Technology (IPTech) Practice Group and a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Singapore. He is a core member of Baker McKenzie's regional IP practice and also leads the Myanmar IP Practice Group. Andy is recognised by reputable global industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. He was named on "The A-List: Singapore's Top 100 lawyers" by Asia Business Law Journal 2018. In addition, Chambers Asia Pacific notes that Andy is "a well-known IP practitioner who is highlighted for his record of handling major trade mark litigation, as well as commercial exploitation of IP rights in the media and technology sectors. He's been in the industry for a long time and has always been held in high regard. He is known to be very fair and is someone you would like to be in the trenches with you during negotiations." Furthermore, Asian Legal Business acknowledges Andy as a leading practitioner in his field and notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice.” Andy was appointed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as an IP Adjudicator to hear disputes at IPOS for a two-year term from April 2021. He has been an appointed member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal since May 2010 and a mediator with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. He is also appointed as a Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths in Singapore. He previously served on the International Trademark Association’s Board of Directors and was a member of the executive committee.

Author

Ren Jun Lim is a principal with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow. He represents local and international clients in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters. He also advises on a full range of healthcare, as well as consumer goods-related legal and regulatory issues. Ren Jun co-leads Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow's Healthcare as well as Consumer Goods & Retail industry groups. He sits on the Law Society of Singapore IP Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Association of Information Security Professionals. He is also a member of the Vaccines Working Group, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, a member of the International Trademark Association, as well as a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Association. Ren Jun is ranked in the Silver tier for Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation and Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy, and a recommended lawyer for Individuals: Transactions by WTR 1000, 2020. He is also listed in Asia IP's Best 50 IP Expert, 2020, recognised as a Rising Star by Managing IP: IP Stars, 2019 and one of Singapore's 70 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under by Singapore Business Review, 2016. Ren Jun was acknowledged by WTR 1000 as a "trademark connoisseur who boasts supplementary knowledge of regulatory issues in the consumer products industry." He was also commended by clients for being "very responsive to enquiries and with a keen eye for detail, he is extremely hands-on. His meticulous and in-depth approach to strategising is key to the excellent outcomes we enjoy."

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