In a groundbreaking move aimed at safeguarding public health, Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has successfully eliminated more than 3,000 illegal health product listings from various local e-commerce and social media platforms. This unprecedented operation, which took place from September 23 to October 23, 2023, resulted in the removal of a staggering 3,336 listings deemed hazardous.

In a statement released on November 27, the HSA noted that this initiative marks a "first-of-its-kind large-scale collaboration with the administrators of online platforms." The crackdown involved major platforms including Amazon Singapore, Carousell, eBay Singapore, Facebook, Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, and TikTok. The HSA also issued 1,471 warnings to sellers participating in the illegal trade during this period.

"The joint operation to clamp down on the illegal sale of health products sold online emphasizes HSA’s unwavering commitment to protecting consumers from substandard or counterfeit products," stated the authority. They urgently encourage the public to report any illegal or suspicious health products they may come across, highlighting the potential dangers associated with these unregulated items.

The crackdown was underscored by previous high-profile cases. In September, a 32-year-old man found guilty of possessing and selling 126 different counterfeit cosmetic products faced a hefty fine of $266,500—record-breaking for such offenses in Singapore. He intended to offload these fake products through various accounts on Lazada.

In another notable case from August, a 48-year-old woman received a fine of $19,000 and a two-week jail sentence for supplying unregistered health products while conducting aesthetic services from her home, promoted through social media channels. HSA's investigation led to the seizure of 51 different types of health products, including potentially dangerous dermal fillers.

One shocking incident in February revealed the grave consequences of illegal health products when a woman was fined $18,000 after her unregistered skin cream, Star Cream, caused a serious adverse event in a four-month-old infant. The baby was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a serious hormonal disorder, following the use of the harmful cream, which was found to contain potent steroids.

The HSA warns that around 40% of the recently removed listings consisted of prescription-only and pharmacy-only medicines, reinforcing that these medications must be obtained legally through healthcare professionals. The authority reiterated that sharing potent prescription medications among individuals, regardless of seemingly similar health conditions, is strictly illegal.

It's worth noting that selling unregistered aesthetic products, including dermal fillers and medical devices, can result in imprisonment for up to three years and/or fines of up to $100,000. The HSA remains vigilant in its mission to enforce the law and curb the illegal trade of dangerous health products that pose significant risks to public well-being.

As Singapore strengthens its consumer protection laws, residents are urged to be more vigilant and report any suspicious online listings to safeguard their health. The message is clear: illegal health products have no place in this city-state, and the HSA’s decisive actions signal a robust commitment to maintaining public safety in the online marketplace.