In brief
On 10 May 2024, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued an update on products found and reported by overseas regulators to contain potent ingredients prohibited in such products and which may lead to side effects.
Key takeaways
- To better protect local consumers from harmful health products that may be found overseas and online, not only does the HSA conduct surveillance on health products found locally, it also monitors overseas enforcement actions . The HSA then issues updates for consumers on products that may pose a threat to public health.
- The HSA’s close monitoring of noncompliant health products abroad and of overseas regulators’ actions indicates that potential noncompliance in other jurisdictions may lead to knock-on risks in Singapore (e.g., negative publicity and potential perception in Singapore that the health products are adulterated). This shows that regulators may share information with each other and keep abreast of other regulators’ actions.
- Sellers and suppliers of health products should note that anyone who supplies adulterated health products in Singapore may face a fine of up to SGD 100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
In more detail
The HSA published a consolidated list of health products, ranging from sexual wellness to cosmetic products, that were found and reported by health regulators overseas (including regulators in Thailand, the United States, Canada and Hong Kong) to contain potent ingredients.
The HSA also provided a brief explanation of the possible side effects of the potent ingredients found in these health products. The full list of health products and their respective side effects can be found here.
The HSA has advised members of the public to refrain from purchasing these products when overseas and to exercise caution when buying health products online or from unfamiliar sources (especially from overseas suppliers), regardless of whether they were recommended by friends or relatives. It also warns consumers to be careful of products guaranteeing quick and miraculous results or making exaggerated claims (e.g., “100% safe” or “no side effects”), as well as products that produce unexpected quick recovery from medical conditions.
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