Online sales of drugs

11 Jan 2010

Question No:  269 & 270   

Question

Name of the Person: Mr Christopher de Souza & Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether he will provide an update on the Ministry’s efforts to clamp down on the online sales of illicit drugs; (b) whether there will be new measures introduced to reduce such transactions; and (c) whether buying of such drugs online is illegal.

Mr Christopher de Souza

MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC

To ask the Minister for Health in view of the consumer advisory guide issued by the Health Sciences Advisory and besides partnering with the other worldwide national medicines regulators, police and/or customs, what is the intended strategy and action plan of his Ministry and other related agencies/bodies to mitigate against the onslaught of counterfeit and illegal drugs marketed and sold via the Internet.

Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon

MP for Sembawang GRC

Reply

Reply From MOH

The sale of medicines through the Internet is a growing global problem. Enforcement agencies around the world cannot tackle this problem alone. As Internet sites are often located overseas outside the immediate control of national authorities, tackling this problem requires the active participation of the consuming public. Consumers need to be aware of the dangers and risks of online purchase of medicines, and should learn to make responsible choices. Their participation will significantly augment the trans-border coordination efforts of national regulatory and enforcement agencies.

2 In Singapore, our control strategy comprises several elements. First, there must be legislative clarity. We subject local Internet websites selling medicines and those who operate these sites to the same types of control as physical local 'brick-and-mortar' companies. Local websites are only allowed to offer over-the-counter health products that can be freely sold or supplied in general retail outlets. These are medicines or health products that do not require a pharmacist's advice or a doctor's prescription.  

3 Second, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) routinely monitors these sites to detect any illegal sale of medicines and will not hesitate to prosecute offenders. In 2009, 13 people were prosecuted or fined, and 14 issued warnings to remove or change their web postings. This is an increase over last year and is due to the intensified surveillance activities by HSA.

4 Third, we have active cross-border cooperation with our foreign counterparts. For example, if a fraudulent website originates from a foreign site, HSA will alert its overseas counterparts. Last month, HSA took part in an international effort by INTERPOL and WHO codenamed Operations Pangea II, where medicines regulatory authorities in 24 countries conducted a coordinated sweep of Internet sites selling dangerous and illegal medicines. 

5 Fourth, HSA works closely with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority to screen and stop contraband shipments of unregistered medicines entering Singapore, including those sent through parcel post.  For medicines for personal use and for which there is valid documentation, up to three months of a person’s own consumption is allowed. Parcels with medicines containing controlled drugs without any supporting documentation are referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.  It is an offence for anyone to traffic, manufacture, import, export, possess or consume any controlled drug, without authorization. A person engaged in any unauthorized transaction of a controlled drug is committing an offence.

6 So far, the Internet purchase of medicines in Singapore remains under control. However, with increasing use of the Internet, there will inevitably be a rise in Internet purchases of medicines. We will continue to explore other measures to tackle illegal Internet sales of medicine. If necessary, we will not hesitate to raise the penalties on offenders selling adulterated and counterfeit medicines.

7 But ultimately, demand drives supply.  Consumers must play their part in the fight against Internet sale of medicines. We will step up consumer awareness and education and remind Singaporeans that all medicines should be bought through legal channels and from trusted sources.