HSA advised members of the public not to buy prescription-only medicines online, such as erectile dysfunction and weight loss medication.
“These medicines can only be obtained from doctors or from pharmacists with a doctor’s prescription as they contain potent ingredients that can cause serious adverse effects if taken unsupervised.”
If the products are obtained from other sources, they can be fake, even if the medicine and packaging look the same. The products may also be contaminated, contain the wrong ingredient or wrong amount of ingredient, or contain no active ingredient.
“As a result, your condition may go untreated and worsen. Consult your doctor for chronic conditions such as erectile dysfunction and obesity. Your doctor can advise on appropriate treatments,” said HSA.
People are also advised not to buy or use any do-it-yourself aesthetic beauty injectable kits, as these kits have not been evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy by HSA.
“They may contain unverified and potentially harmful ingredients or toxic chemicals and carry infectious organisms,” said HSA.
Dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injections are health products that require HSA’s approval before they can be supplied and should be administered by qualified medical practitioners, it added.
Consumers should also exercise caution when buying health products such as supplements and cosmetic products online.
“They may be cheaper and appear to offer better value, but the lower price could be due to unsafe or inferior ingredients, poor manufacturing methods and substandard or unhygienic storage conditions.
“They could also be adulterated with harmful or banned ingredients such as steroids,” said HSA.
HSA also reminded consumers to be wary of health products that promise quick and miraculous results, or those that carry exaggerated claims such as “100 per cent safe”, “no side effects”, “quick effects” or “scientifically proven”.
“They can contain potent medicinal ingredients that can harm your health. Do not trust online product reviews, as these testimonials usually cannot be verified,” said the agency.
When buying health products online, consumers should buy them from reputable retailers’ websites or those with an established retail presence in Singapore.