Stern warnings for 150 sellers of bogus Covid-19 treatments, 740 online listings removed: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE — Over the past two years, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had detected and directed the removal of 740 listings of "pharmaceutical agents" on e-commerce platforms and social media apps claiming to be effective in preventing or treating Covid-19, while more than 150 sellers were issued with a stern warning.

These enforcement actions were taken between February 2020 and January 2022, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung in a written response to a parliamentary question by Mr Darryl David, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency. 

Mr David had asked for an update on the Government's enforcement actions on those who peddle false claims that certain pharmaceutical products are effective in treating Covid-19. 

Mr Ong said that the Ministry of Health (MOH) and HSA monitor websites and social media platforms, including online chatgroups, for "false claims about the efficacy of certain pharmaceutical agents such as ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine in treating Covid-19". 

"Evidence to date shows that these agents are ineffective in treating Covid-19, and their use is in fact associated with serious health risks to patients," he added. 

In October last year, MOH issued a media statement to call out these websites and platforms, and to "debunk the misinformation found there".

In the same month, a Correction Direction order was also issued to the "Truth Warriors" website for false statements of fact and misleading information relating to Covid-19 treatments.

"Various subsequent clarifications and facts have also been published by the Government, and MOH and HSA have proactively put up consumer advisories on their websites to increase public awareness," said Mr Ong. 

He added that for sellers who falsely advertise pharmaceutical products as being able to prevent or treat Covid-19, they are liable to prosecution. If convicted, they may be imprisoned for up to 12 months or fined up to S$20,000, or both, under the Health Products Act.

Individuals who bring in such pharmaceutical products and distribute them for use without a doctor’s prescription, with the intent to treat Covid-19, can be taken to task as unlicensed medical practitioners under the Medical Registration Act.

"Registered medical practitioners who promote or prescribe such pharmaceutical products outside their approved indications and outside the scope of a clinical trial may be — and indeed some have already been — referred to the Singapore Medical Council for disciplinary action," said Mr Ong.