In brief
In April 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) detected potent ingredients in two products marketed separately for pain and cough relief and alerted the public against purchasing them.
Key takeaways
- Sellers and suppliers should note that health products must be in line with applicable healthcare regulations. The HSA will not hesitate to publish information on adverse effects, resulting in negative publicity.
- Anyone who sells products adulterated with potent medicinal ingredients may be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to SGD 10,000 upon conviction.
In depth
Following serious medical conditions experienced by two women in their 40s and 50s, the HSA conducted an analysis of the two products. One product was marketed for pain relief and labelled to be free of steroids, while the other was marketed for cough relief and touted as “100% Natural Pure Herbal”. The analysis revealed that both products contained potent medicinal ingredients including steroids.
Both of the products were obtained from Malaysia through friends but were also sold on local e-commerce and social media platforms. The HSA recommended exercising caution when purchasing health products online or from unfamiliar sources. In the event consumers wish to buy health products online, the HSA encouraged consumers to use retailers with an established presence in Singapore and to be wary of products that claim to produce unexpectedly quick results. The HSA has also since worked with the local e-commerce and social media platforms to remove the affected product listings.
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