In brief
In October 2023, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) participated in a one-week INTERPOL-led, internet-based operation involving 89 member countries targeting the sale of illegal health products.
The HSA announced that it removed over 4,600 listings of illegal health products from local e-commerce and social media platforms and seized more than 60,000 units of illegal health products at the Singapore Customs during a week of intensified surveillance from 3 to 10 October 2023.
Key takeaways
- Sellers and suppliers of health products should note that anyone who supplies in Singapore prescription medicines and medical devices, and/or health products that are adulterated, counterfeit or tampered with may face a fine of up to SGD 100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
In depth
On 31 October 2023, the HSA announced that 4,681 product listings of illegal health products were removed from e-commerce and social media platforms, and 60,372 units of illegal health products were seized during a one-week intensified enforcement action as part of Operation Pangea.
The removed product listings were mainly lifestyle health products, such as sexual enhancement or male vitality products, aesthetic enhancement products (dermal fillers, Botulinum toxin, sutures and placenta injectables), contraceptives, topical creams or ointments for skin allergy, and weight loss products. The seized products consisted of various illegal and adulterated health products, such as sexual enhancement products, sedatives, herbal supplements and pain management products.
The HSA has advised members of the public to avoid buying prescription-only medicines (such as erectile dysfunction medicines, weight loss medicines and DIY aesthetic beauty injectable kits) and be wary of purchasing health products (such as health supplements and cosmetic products) online. Additionally, extra caution should be exercised with regard to health products that promise quick and miraculous results or carry exaggerated claims (such as “100% safe”; “no side effects”; “quick effects”; or “scientifically proven”). These are products that may be adulterated with potent medicinal ingredients or prescription-only products that should be administered only by qualified medical practitioners. Given that they have not been evaluated and/or approved by the HSA, there is no assurance of their safety, quality and efficacy. If used or administered incorrectly, serious adverse reactions may ensue.
Therefore, the HSA recommends that health products only be purchased online from reputable retailers’ websites or those with an established retail presence in Singapore.
Sellers and suppliers are also reminded not to sell prescription medicines and medical devices on e-commerce platforms, or health products that are adulterated or bear misleading claims.
The full HSA announcement may be found here.
