HSA seizes over 1.12 million units of illegal health products in 2023

The authority also took down 12,474 online listings of illegal health products.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized over 1.12 million units of illegal health products, increasing by 50% year-on-year, and removed over 12,000 listings of illegal health products from local e-commerce and social media platforms in 2023.

The products were unregistered, counterfeit, or had potent medicinal ingredients and/or banned substances illegally added.

Meanwhile, the type of products seized remained similar, with sexual enhancement or male vitality products and addictive medicines such as codeine cough syrup and sedatives continuing to be the most common categories.

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HSA also took down 12,474 listings of illegal health products in 2023 which include sexual enhancement or male vitality products, anti-hair loss treatment, facial fillers and adulterated skin whitening products, COVID-19-related products, weight loss products, contraceptives, and products for managing chronic conditions.

Around 48% of the sellers of these removed listings were based in Singapore.

Sellers and suppliers of such products are liable to be prosecuted and if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to three years and/or fined up to $100,000.

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