HSA mulls tougher penalty for sales of illegal health products

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HSA mulls tougher penalty for sales of illegal health products

By Ng Lian Cheong
POSTED: 17 Apr 2013 8:59 PM

HSA is considering increasing the penalty for the supply of adulterated or counterfeit health products from a maximum fine of S$10,000 to S$100,000. To act as a further deterrent, the agency is looking at raising the jail term from two years to three years.

Jar containing drug capsules and pills. (AFP Photo/Philippe Huguen)

SINGAPORE: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is looking into increasing the penalty for the sale of illegal health products.

In the past three years, 87 people have fallen ill after taking illegal drugs. Six of them died.

HSA is considering increasing the penalty for the supply of adulterated or counterfeit health products from a maximum fine of S$10,000 to S$100,000.

To act as a further deterrent, the agency is looking at raising the jail term from two years to three years.

From 2010 to 2012, HSA conducted more than 90 operations and raids against illegal sellers and seized about two million units, such as pills or capsules, of illegal health products amounting to an estimated street value of about
S$5 million.

HSA Academy principal director, Assistant Professor Raymond Chua, said: "Usually these counterfeit or substandard medications are bought from the street vendors, the internet or on recommendations from friends or relatives, and they usually have exaggerated claims such as reducing the pain or their ailments, their chronic ailments, such as hypertension, diabetes or arthritis."

- CNA/ir