Counterfeit medicines and health products are fake versions of legitimate items, designed to look like real, registered products. These may contain incorrect or harmful substances or may have the right active ingredient but in incorrect doses. Packaging is often deliberately misleading. While expired products aren’t necessarily counterfeit, if they are relabelled and sold as unexpired, they qualify as counterfeit.
Example: A drug with a two-year shelf life that’s repackaged with a new two-year expiry date becomes counterfeit.
Key Topics Covered
- Health risks of counterfeit products
- How to spot fake medicines and health items
- Legal consequences of dealing with counterfeits
- Options for victims and buyers to take action
Dangers of Using Counterfeit Products
Counterfeit items can cause serious health issues, including unexpected side effects, worsening of existing conditions, or even death.
Case in Point: Slim 10, a slimming pill, contained undeclared and banned substances like fenfluramine and thyroxine, causing liver damage and death in some users.
How to Identify a Counterfeit Product
Due to sophisticated counterfeiting, it’s often hard for consumers to distinguish real from fake. Many counterfeits are sold online, via spam messages, or at temporary stalls.
Tip: Always buy from licensed pharmacies or clinics. If in doubt, contact the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for verification.
Legal Offences and Penalties
- Personal Use: Owning counterfeit medicine for personal use isn’t illegal.
- Importing: Bringing such items into Singapore from overseas can be an offence.
- Trademark Infringement: Selling or producing items with fake trademarks without permission is illegal and punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and/or 5 years in jail.
- Supplying Counterfeits: Under the Health Products Act, selling or manufacturing fake health products can lead to similar penalties.
Those who unknowingly deal with counterfeit products and took all reasonable precautions may be exempt from penalties.
How Victims Can Seek Redress
- Report to HSA – They may investigate, seize goods, and press charges.
- File a Police Report – Particularly if harm was caused.
- Civil Lawsuit – Victims can sue for negligence or misrepresentation, as actress Andrea de Cruz did in the Slim 10 case, winning over $1.6 million.
- Consumer Complaint – Buyers who were misled can lodge complaints with the Consumers Association of Singapore for a refund.
Conclusion
Counterfeit medicines are a serious threat. Protect yourself by only purchasing from licensed clinics and pharmacies. Stay cautious and informed to avoid harm.