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Product Regulation & Liability

Singapore: Health Sciences Authority seized over 1.12 million units of illegal health products and removed more than 12,000 illegal product listings online in 2023

By 3 Mins Read

In brief

On 30 January 2024, the Health Science Authority (HSA) announced it had seized over 1.12 million units of illegal health products and removed over 12,000 listings of illegal health products from local e-commerce and social media platforms in 2023 through targeted operations, intelligence sharing and joint enforcement efforts with local and overseas agencies.

Illegal health products include unregistered or counterfeit health products, as well as products with potent medicinal ingredients or banned substances illegally added to them.

Key takeaways  

  • Sellers and suppliers of health products should note that anyone who supplies in Singapore prescription medicines and medical devices, 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 more detail

On 30 January 2024, the HSA announced it had seized over 1.12 million units of illegal health products and removed over 12,000 listings of illegal health products from local e-commerce and social media platforms in 2023 through targeted operations, intelligence sharing and joint enforcement efforts with local and overseas agencies. This was a 50% increase from the number of illegal health products seized in 2022.

The 50% increase in products seized was due to heightened surveillance and enforcement, including a major operation conducted with the Singapore Police Force in June 2023 to clamp down on a suspected illegal codeine syndicate.

The HSA also worked closely with local social media platform administrators to promptly remove product listings of illegal health products. Based on the removed listings, approximately 48% of the sellers were based in Singapore.

The HSA highlighted the serious adverse effects caused by the consumption of illegal health products. Consumers are advised to be wary before buying or consuming a health product. The HSA has advised consumers to follow the A-B-C-D steps before buying or taking a health product:

  • Avoid making purchases from suspicious or unfamiliar sources
  • Beware of deals that sound too attractive
  • Check the claims and products
  • Discuss with doctors or pharmacists on the suitability of a product if unsure

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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