Internet delivering fake drug and health products

Manama : Many of the drug and health products delivered online are counterfeit, according to National Health Regulatory Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Mariam Al Jalahma.

Most of the treatment procedures shown on the websites are not scientifically proved and Al Jalahma alerted citizens not to be misled by these products from websites.

“These products come labelled as natural, but lab tests have proven that they contain chemicals which categorises them as counterfeit products,” she said. “There has also been a significant increase in drugs and health products ordered online by citizens,” Al Jalahma revealed.

“Since the beginning of this year, 1,931 personal parcels were received with 64pc of them being approved at Customs, while the rest of the parcels were either destroyed or returned to sellers,” she said.

While explaining the conditions to import personal parcels of dietary supplements, pharmaceutical and health products, she said that they must be in accordance to the rules and procedures enforced by the Authority. 

“Conditions involve a demanded medical report or prescription from a doctor, patient’s name, personal number, name of the drug, quantity of dose, duration of treatment, smart card, copy of smart card, and a copy of customs paper from the Interior Ministry explaining the package information,” she said.

She also noted that intensified supervision is needed to ensure compliance with procedures established by the law and catch offenders.

“These medicines have unknown and unsecured origins, and using these medicines could have serious implications on one’s health. The import of medications and pharmaceutical products, even for free samples must be via pharmaceutical centres, in compliance with specifications set by a ministerial order,” she said.

She also affirmed that any parcel not meeting the requirements of the law and guidelines is subject to confiscation.