SINGAPORE – More than 25,000 units of illegal health products that were being sold online here have been seized in a 10-day international crackdown, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a statement today (June 9).
They include 5,812 units of anabolic steroids – prescription-only medicines used in the treatment of hormonal deficiency conditions – with an estimated street value of $13,000.
Three people are believed to have sold an assortment of the drugs on local gymnasiums and various e-commerce platforms at almost double the price they had paid. The sellers allegedly marketed them as being able to increase muscle mass, strength and weight loss.
They are currently assisting in investigations, along with five others, the HSA said.
Other illegal health products seized were sleeping pills, pregnancy test kits and medicinal drugs for infertility and weight loss, and are estimated to have a total street value of $8,000.
Photo: Health Sciences Authority
The HSA was one of the 193 agencies and 103 countries that participated in Operation Pangea, an international Internet week of enforcement effort targeting the illegal online sale of counterfeit and unlicensed medicines led by the International Criminal Police Organisation, or Interpol.
The World Customs Organisation, the Permanent Forum of International Pharmaceutical Crime, the Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group of Enforcement Officers were also among the coordinators of the annual enforcement action.
This marks the ninth year that the HSA has taken part in this operation.
Members of the public who believe they have encountered illegal, counterfeit or other suspicious health products are encouraged to contact the HSA on 68663485 or email to hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg. The dangers of buying illegal health products from dubious sources can be learnt on www.healthdangers.sg.
huizhen.com.sg
