Transcript Health Products Regulation: The Facts

A Student’s Guide to
Regulation of Health Products
in Singapore
Health Sciences Authority,
Singapore (HSA)
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Health Products Regulation
• The following slides will give you a general overview
of health products regulation in Singapore
• The goal is to provide you with information
when dealing with health products (e.g.
‘western’ medicines) in order to help you
make smart and correct decisions
• This information is not intended to serve as legal
advice
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Health Products Regulation: The Facts
• Singapore has enacted laws to regulate the sale and supply
of health products to protect consumers
• Under Singapore law, licences are required before any person
can sell/supply Health Products (e.g. ‘Western’ Medicines
and Health Supplements containing controlled substances)
• Cosmetic products must be notified with HSA before it can
be marketed in Singapore (includes Internet sales)
• The same controls apply to Internet sales (e.g. auction
sites, discussion forums, classified ads)
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Examples of Health Products
Regulated By HSA
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Oral Contraceptives
Abortifacients (e.g. substances that induce abortion)
Steroids for bodybuilding
Slimming medicines
Cough preparations containing codeine
Sleeping pills
Medicines for treatment of erectile dysfunction (e.g.
sildenafil(Viagra) and tadalafil(Cialis))
• ‘Brain boosters’ (e.g. methylphenidate (Ritalin) and
modafinil (Provigil))
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Prescription Medicine Tips
• Prescription medicines are potentially
dangerous substances
• Prescription medicines should only be used
by the person who was given the prescription
and taken as prescribed
• Don’t sell unused/spare prescription
medicines
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Case Highlights
A couple in their
30s posted the
sale of weightloss drug
Duromine online
Penalty : Fined
$3000 each
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A woman
prescribed with
oral
contraceptive,
Mercilon, did not
use it. Instead,
she and her
husband both in
their 20s, put the
pills up for
auction online
Penalty: Fined
$4000 each
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Examples of Illegal Health Products
• Illegal health products usually contain ingredients
that are controlled under the medicines' laws.
• For activities involving illegal health products, such
as import or sale, offenders may be liable for
prosecution under the Medicines Act or the
Poisons Act.
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Key Offences
• Sell poisons without a licence (e.g. health
supplements that contain controlled substances)
• Sell prescription medicines without a licence
• Sell cosmetic product where no prior notification
have been submitted
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Penalties
• Stern Warning
• Composition
up to $2000 per offence
• Prosecution
Medicines Act – Fine up to $5000 and/or jail
term of up to 2 years
Poisons Act – Fine up to $10000 and/or jail
term of up to 2 years
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Contact HSA
• Complaints and reports of illegal
activities
Enforcement Branch
– Tel: 68663485
Fax: 64789065
– Email: [email protected]
• For more information:
Internet website
• Health Sciences Authority [www.hsa.gov.sg]
– Database of registered ‘western’ medicines
– Guides to regulatory system and controls
– Illegal health products database
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