Over 4,600 online listings of lifestyle health products were also removed during the 8-day operation.
International Effort to Combat Illegal Health Products
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA), as part of an international operation coordinated by Interpol, seized over 60,000 illegal health products in Singapore and removed 4,681 illegal product listings from online platforms. The eight-day operation, conducted between October 3-10, 2024, involved 89 countries and resulted in the removal of illegal health products from e-commerce and social media platforms.
1. Categories of Illegal Products
The majority of the removed listings were related to lifestyle health products, with sexual enhancement and male vitality products accounting for 30% of the removed items. Aesthetic enhancement products, contraceptives, weight loss products, and skin treatments such as topical creams and ointments also made up a significant portion of the illegal items.
2. Global Impact of Operation Pangea XVI
The operation led to 72 arrests globally and the shutdown of more than 1,300 criminal websites involved in trafficking illegal and potentially dangerous medications. The seized products, worth more than US$7 million (S$9.56 million), included sedatives, herbal supplements, pain management products, and more. These items, often unregulated, pose serious health risks to consumers.
3. Health Risks and Consumer Advisory
HSA urged the public to avoid purchasing health products from unverified online platforms, as these items may not meet regulatory standards for safety, quality, or efficacy. Many of these products could lead to severe health consequences if used improperly, and some require professional medical prescriptions. Additionally, harmful ingredients, such as steroids or unsafe substances, have been found in certain products. HSA recommended purchasing health products only from reputable retailers with an established presence in Singapore.
This operation highlights the ongoing need for a coordinated international response to combat the illicit trade in dangerous medications and protect public health.
