SINGAPORE, June 27 – In a sweeping enforcement action to protect public health, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has taken down 1,288 illegal health product listings from local e-commerce and social media platforms between December 2024 and May 2025, according to a statement released Thursday, BERNAMA-XINHUA reported.
Among those warned was an 18-year-old seller caught promoting and selling unregistered contact lenses, highlighting the growing trend of youth involvement in the unregulated health product trade.
The three most common types of illegal products removed were:
-
Medicines for skin and hair conditions (37%)
-
Antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral products (15%)
-
Unregistered contact lenses (13%)
Alarmingly, 644 of the listings were prescription medicines, which the HSA warns are dangerous when obtained and used without medical oversight. “These medications contain potent ingredients and should only be used under proper medical supervision,” the agency cautioned.
The HSA also issued 732 warnings to sellers, reinforcing the country’s strict stance on unauthorized online pharmaceutical sales. Authorities stress that self-medicating using online purchases can lead to serious health complications and even life-threatening consequences.
The crackdown signals a clear message: illegal health products have no place in Singapore’s digital marketplace. Consumers are urged to be vigilant and to purchase health products only from licensed pharmacies and approved healthcare providers.
