Jeddah, Aug 29 (Arab News): With social media accounts and applications having become a black market for medicine and adulterated dietary supplements sold at 15 percent below their original value, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has identified more than 50 telephone numbers of people promoting medicines and herbs in violation of regulations.
Violators were handed over to authorities for legal action.
Abdul Aziz Al-Shardan of the SFDA said the authority’s responsibilities include monitoring social networking sites and applications used on smartphones, as well as in the press, in order to identify individuals or entities selling unlicensed or fake products.
He warned against consuming medicines and products sold via unofficial website and social media accounts, adding that the SFDA is in constant contact with customs authorities to prevent the entry of such products into the Kingdom.
“The SFDA is also in contact with the Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry to pull out fake products from the market,” he said, adding that the SFDA conducts awareness campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of such products, as well as the penalties for selling them.
Al-Shardan said the authority also shut down a number of accounts on social media that are illegally selling products.
All these products are smuggled into the Kingdom, he said, urging consumers not to consume any medical or herbal product that is not registered and licensed, and not to purchase such products online or from stores that are not licensed to sell pharmaceutical products.
“The SFDA had warned against a number of products that proved to be fake and filled with dangerous substances, as well as pharmaceutical products that can only be used under a doctor’s supervision and prescription,” Al-Shardan said. Eissa Al-Essa, spokesman for the Customs Department, said several attempts to smuggle illegal food items and medicines have been foiled.
“The customs authority permits products to enter after completion of necessary procedures for their entry, and after authorities verify their safety,” he said.
Customs authorities identified on several occasions adulterated medicines and other products that do not meet the required standards, he added.