The Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) achieved a significant success in its fight against the illegal trade of health products, seizing over 970,000 units and removing nearly 7,400 listings from online platforms. The operation involved collaboration with local and international agencies and targeted various types of illicit products, including codeine cough syrup, sexual enhancement medicines, sedatives, and prescription medicines. HSA emphasizes its commitment to strict enforcement against sellers and suppliers of illegal health products, with potential penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines.
Singapore's Health Sciences Authority ( HSA ) successfully seized 970,707 units of illegal health products and removed 7,351 product listings from local e-commerce and social media platforms in 2024. This significant achievement was made possible through collaborative efforts and joint enforcement actions with both local and international agencies.
Codeine cough syrup constituted the largest portion of the seized items (54 percent), followed by sexual enhancement medicines (19 percent), sedatives (18 percent), and other prescription medicines (9 percent). HSA's efforts resulted in investigations against 64 individuals for the illegal supply of health products, with these cases currently under review. Notably, nearly half of the removed listings stemmed from HSA's first large-scale collaboration with local online platform administrators in September and October 2024. This initiative specifically targeted illegal online sales and sellers. The majority of listings removed (37 percent) advertised products for aesthetic enhancement of skin and hair, followed by contact lenses (24 percent), products for managing chronic conditions like cholesterol and hypertension (7 percent), contraceptives (5 percent), sexual enhancement or male vitality products (4 percent), weight loss products (3 percent), and antibiotics (3 percent).HSA emphasizes its commitment to taking stringent action against anyone involved in the sale or supply of illegal health products. Sellers or suppliers found guilty face prosecution, with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to three years and/or fines of up to S$100,000. In 2024, HSA prosecuted 30 individuals for the sale and supply of illegal health products. Furthermore, three consumers were hospitalized last year due to serious adverse effects from illegal products. One case involved a man in his 50s who experienced seizures, hyponatraemia (low sodium levels in the blood), and vomiting after consuming Sausando Cellulite Pills for five months. The pills contained the banned substance sibutramine, along with a laxative and a diuretic
HEALTH PRODUCTS SINGAPORE HSA ILLEGAL TRADE SEIZURE CRACKDOWN ONLINE PLATFORMS COLLABORATION ENFORCEMENT SAFETY REGULATIONS CONSUMER PROTECTION
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