1-11-2023 (SINGAPORE) Singaporean authorities have taken decisive action against the illegal trade of health products, seizing over 60,000 illicit units and removing more than 4,600 product listings from local e-commerce and social media platforms during a week-long enforcement operation.
The crackdown, which took place from October 3 to October 10, was a part of an Interpol-coordinated effort involving 89 countries to combat the illegal health product trade.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) worked closely with local enforcement agencies to confiscate 60,372 illegal health products, encompassing sexual enhancement items, sedatives, herbal supplements, and pain management products. These products were seized at checkpoints and were subsequently deemed hazardous due to their lack of evaluation and approval by the HSA.
During this operation, one particularly concerning case came to light when 32 boxes of a “placenta product” were discovered at SingPost Centre by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. The product, touted for its anti-ageing and rejuvenating properties, claimed to be “made in Switzerland.” However, a subsequent investigation revealed that neither the product nor the manufacturer was registered in Switzerland, prompting further inquiry by Interpol.
In addition to the seizure of illicit products, authorities also removed 4,681 illegal health product listings from local e-commerce and social media platforms. These listings predominantly featured lifestyle health products, with approximately 30% being sexual enhancement or male vitality items and about 14% falling under the category of “aesthetic enhancement,” including dermal fillers and botulinum toxin.
HSA emphasized that these illegal products can be adulterated with potent medicinal ingredients, posing a significant risk to consumers. Some of these products should only be prescribed and administered by qualified medical practitioners, making their unsupervised use potentially harmful.
Engaging in the sale of prescription-only medicines and medical devices, as well as adulterated health products on local e-commerce platforms, is illegal. HSA has issued stern warnings to suppliers and sellers, and those found guilty could face imprisonment for up to three years, fines of up to S$100,000, or both.
The authority has been actively monitoring online activities throughout the year and has collaborated with platform administrators to prevent the listing of illegal health products. Members of the public are advised not to purchase prescription-only medicines, such as erectile dysfunction and weight loss medication, online, as these substances can cause severe adverse effects if taken without supervision.
Furthermore, do-it-yourself aesthetic beauty injectable kits have not been evaluated for safety, quality, and efficacy by HSA and may contain harmful or toxic substances. Dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections require HSA approval and should only be administered by qualified medical professionals.
Consumers are encouraged to exercise caution when purchasing health products online, as cheaper alternatives may contain unsafe or inferior ingredients and unsubstantiated claims. Online product reviews should not be relied upon, as they are often unverifiable.
In summary, the crackdown on illegal health products in Singapore has highlighted the potential dangers of unsanctioned items, underscoring the importance of consumers making informed and safe choices when seeking health and wellness solutions.
