A 16-year-old Singaporean student was nabbed by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for selling fake medicine online.
The student initially bought two packets of slimming pills online but suffered adverse reactions such as dry throat after using them. In order to cut her losses of S$220, she sold them online for S$130.
According to a Today report, the student is the youngest person ever to be nabbed by the HSA for an online-related offence. HSA deputy director (enforcement branch) Ruth Lee, 47, said, “We were shocked when we caught her. We didn’t feel good…She’s too young.”
As part of a major Interpol-led operation against fake medicine sold online in 45 countries, authorities in Singapore shared details of Operation Pangea III, which saw three Singaporeans and three China nationals being apprehended in the country.
The same paper also reported that between October 5 and 12, HSA senior regulatory inspector (enforcement branch) Beatrice Poh, 33, and her team were trawling through popular online forums and social networking sites for suspects, when they made contact with the student.
Once the transaction with the undercover HSA officers were completed at Bugis MRT Station, they immediately took action and subsequently searched her home for more medicines. They found that she had two packets of pills in her possession.
A total of S$7,000 worth of fake medicines were seized from the six suspects arrested in Singapore. They have yet to be charged.
According to the HSA, illegal online medicines are becoming a worldwide scourge, thought to run into the billions. The World Health Organisation estimates that more than half of medicines sold online are fake.
HSA division director (enforcement) Chan Cheng Leng, 46, said most of the ones sold here are lifestyle medicines claiming to treat conditions such as erectile dysfunction and obesity.
She added that those ashamed of the stigma associated with those conditions would buy the medicines online and most of them are in their 20s and 30s and are internet-savvy.
However, Ms Chan warned that what you see is not necessarily what you will get. Sexual enhancement pills have turned out to be slimming pills. On the other hand, slimming pills have been found to contain substances to treat constipation.
Although there have been no reported deaths in Singapore from consumption of fake online medicines, Ms Chan highlighted, “You’re putting things in your body that can cause harm. The health risks aren’t worth it.”
The HSA said the profit margin for selling such products can range between 200 and 900 per cent, with a S$5 box of hair loss product being sold for S$50.
In May last year, the HSA attached officers to SingPost to train its employees how to spot suspicious packages. The number of packages referred to the HSA for inspection jumped to 191 that month, up from 33 in April last year. It now averages 70 to 80 packages monthly.
Under the Poisons Act, anyone convicted of selling prescription drugs or counterfeit drugs online can be jailed up to two years and fined S$10,000. Last year, 34 people were arrested. There are already 39 cases so far this year.
Source:A 16-year-old Singaporean student was nabbed by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for selling fake medicine online.
The student initially bought two packets of slimming pills online but suffered adverse reactions such as dry throat after using them. In order to cut her losses of S$220, she sold them online for S$130
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i'm confused.
she's just selling medicine she bought to cut losses isnt it?
what has it got to do with selling fake medicine?
Cos any medicine bought in Singapore must be HSA approved?
Those not approved by HSA equals "fake"?
Anyway, the girl really kena big time.
No sale + Going to get fined / jail.
Originally posted by dragg:A 16-year-old Singaporean student was nabbed by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for selling fake medicine online.
The student initially bought two packets of slimming pills online but suffered adverse reactions such as dry throat after using them. In order to cut her losses of S$220, she sold them online for S$130
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i'm confused.
she's just selling medicine she bought to cut losses isnt it?
what has it got to do with selling fake medicine?
Fake medicine are not medication.....u put something in your body that may kills you.
You have no idea what is the content. That is as good as murder.
There was a report of a man die of consuming drugs purschase unknown origin.
Originally posted by dragg:A 16-year-old Singaporean student was nabbed by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for selling fake medicine online.
The student initially bought two packets of slimming pills online but suffered adverse reactions such as dry throat after using them. In order to cut her losses of S$220, she sold them online for S$130
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i'm confused.
she's just selling medicine she bought to cut losses isnt it?
what has it got to do with selling fake medicine?
She bought fake medicine.
Then she tried to sell the fake medicine.
Bottom line is, if you don't know what you're selling, then you shouldn't be selling it.
She only 16 year old still a minor and is her 1st time offence.
She probably get a warning nia or at most go girls home
I think she will get a fine.
Originally posted by dechang:She only 16 year old still a minor and is her 1st time offence.
She probably get a warning nia or at most go girls home
You only die ones....!!!! Minor or not?
Originally posted by dechang:She only 16 year old still a minor and is her 1st time offence.
She probably get a warning nia or at most go girls home
i agree and hope the govt wouldnt be too harsh on her.
her case is unique.
she did not sell solely for the sake of making a profit.
If someone dies from buying from her, who got the blame?
She sold it bcos she was cheapskate.
Buy liao dun wan den sell again.
At our own risk if buy online without any licence.
Where health is concerned.
Originally posted by likeyou:If someone dies from buying from her, who got the blame?
法律�外人情.
if she buy in bulk to sell for profit then she is committing a crime that has no mitigating circumstances.
in this instance she bought only 2 packages, used it and find it unsuitable. she sold to cut her losses. ya, there is no denying she is doing something wrong. but she is not exactly selling in bulk to make money.
there are a few points to note;
no one died.
she is a first time offender.
she is young.
all these are mitigating circumstances.
i think i fine is enough.
Agreed.
Just a fine and stern warning will do.
Since nobody die from buying medicine from her.
Originally posted by dragg:法律�外人情.
if she buy in bulk to sell for profit then she is committing a crime that has no mitigating circumstances.
in this instance she bought only 2 packages, used it and find it unsuitable. she sold to cut her losses. ya, there is no denying she is doing something wrong. but she is not exactly selling in bulk to make money.
there are a few points to note;
no one died.
she is a first time offender.
she is young.
all these are mitigating circumstances.
i think i fine is enough.
Sometime law are passed to establish message to the public.
plantif potentially harm the public thru rackless and irresponsibilities social behavior.
The motives, of Cut loss or making a profit, are indifferent. -- Its about Financial consideration.
When an individual is caught for the first time -- is considered a First time offender irregardless of past behavior.
Sometime taking fake drug may be fatal and if not fatal it may still have a lifetime of illness and side effect, and change of life.
Think about it.......!!!