Global pharma raids: HSA removed 959 illegal health product listings, including contact lenses

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) removed 959 illegal health product listings during a two-week Interpol-led operation targeting illicit pharmaceuticals. Of these, 786 listings were for unregistered contact lenses sold online in Singapore, a significant increase from 167 listings removed in the previous operation. The HSA emphasized that selling contact lenses online is illegal, as these are medical devices that must be registered to ensure safety, performance, and quality. Unregistered lenses pose serious health risks, including severe eye injuries, and consumers are required to undergo eye examinations and proper fitting. The latest operation, conducted between March 10 and March 23, resulted in the seizure of 6,641 units of illegal health products across Singapore’s borders, mostly intercepted through postal services. The majority of these were prescription medications, including painkillers, sedatives, and anti-parasitic drugs such as ivermectin. Ivermectin accounted for nearly 30 percent of all seizures, with close to 2,000 units confiscated. This drug, which is prescription-only in Singapore, gained notoriety during the Covid-19 pandemic when some groups attempted to use it as a treatment or preventive measure despite a lack of scientific evidence. HSA has previously issued warnings against using ivermectin for Covid-19, citing reports of hospitalizations due to self-medication and side effects ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures and liver injury. The agency urged the public to exercise caution when encountering health products sold at suspiciously low prices, as illicit sellers often use promotional tactics to lure buyers. The use of illegal health products, including unregistered medical devices and unauthorized medicines, can result in ineffective treatment or serious harm due to adulterated or undeclared ingredients. Since 2008, HSA has participated in every edition of Interpol’s Operation Pangea, which targets criminal networks involved in the illegal pharmaceutical trade. The ongoing efforts highlight the importance of regulatory oversight in protecting public health and preventing the distribution of unsafe medical products.