How Is HSA Combatting Illegal Health Products on Online Platforms?

January 9, 2025

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore has taken significant steps to ensure consumer safety through a large-scale operation against illegal health products sold online, in collaboration with major e-commerce and social media platforms, removing over 3,300 listings. This operation exemplifies the HSA’s commitment to public health.

Between September 23 and October 23, 2024, the HSA partnered with eight online platforms to eliminate 3,336 listings of illegal health products and issued 1,471 warnings to errant sellers. This initiative marks HSA’s first extensive collaboration with online entities, addressing a variety of product categories. These included aesthetic enhancement items (48%) such as DIY beauty injectables, dermal fillers, and Botulinum toxin; contraceptives (11%); antibiotics (10%); contact lenses (7%); and sexual enhancement products (5%). Notably, approximately 40% of these listings involved prescription-only or pharmacy-only medicines.

Furthermore, the HSA warned consumers about the risks associated with purchasing health products online. These products are frequently not evaluated for safety or efficacy and can lead to severe adverse reactions. Examples include DIY injectable kits and prescription medications that require medical supervision. The HSA stressed its ongoing efforts to work with platform administrators to proactively monitor and remove these illegal listings.

In their press release, the HSA also reiterated the severe penalties for individuals caught selling illegal health products. Convicted sellers could face up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to SGD 100,000. Specific instances of penalties include a fine of SGD 266,500 for selling 126 types of counterfeit cosmetic products, the largest fine ever imposed for such offenses. Another case involved a fine of SGD 19,000 and two weeks of imprisonment for distributing unregistered health products and promoting home-based aesthetic services on social media. Additionally, there was a fine of SGD 18,000 for selling unregistered skin cream, following a serious adverse reaction reported in a four-month-old infant.

The HSA’s actions highlight its proactive stance on safeguarding public health through collaborations with key e-commerce platforms to combat the illegal sale of health products online. Suppliers and sellers of health products are advised to comply strictly with HSA regulations to avoid severe penalties.

Illegal health products encompass a wide range of items, from genuine products sold through unauthorized means (e.g., without a prescription) to counterfeit goods and grey market products. Depending on the circumstances, regulatory and intellectual property laws may apply. Various regulatory bodies may take action against genuine products sold illegally or counterfeit products, while brand owners can pursue intellectual property claims against counterfeit sellers. Actions available include criminal raids, demand letters, takedown notices, private prosecutions, and civil litigation.

The strategy to tackle illegal health products depends on the specific products in question and the broader objectives. The HSA collaborates with legal and regulatory experts skilled in healthcare regulation and intellectual property law, positioning themselves to develop effective strategies to manage these issues.

The recent operation by the HSA illustrates its dedication to protecting public health through strict enforcement and collaboration with online platforms to eradicate the sale of illegal health products. This comprehensive approach ensures consumer safety and compliance with regulatory standards, contributing to a safer online marketplace for health products.

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