Electronic “shadow pharmacies”: prescriptions without doctors and medicines without health guarantees

“Emirates Today” monitored the increase in misleading advertisements and videos promoting quick treatments, beauty products, weight loss, and improving health performance. Doctors and pharmacists warned of the growing phenomenon of purchasing medicines and health products via websites and social media platforms without a prescription or professional supervision. They assured “Emirates Today” that the dangers of these practices are not limited to counterfeit or counterfeit medicines only, but extend to the misuse of self-use of pharmaceutical products, and the serious health complications that may result from it. The liver, kidneys, heart, and other vital organs, while the Emirates Pharmaceutical Corporation confirmed the implementation of strict control over websites and social media platforms to monitor unlicensed products and combat the circulation of counterfeit medicines, in cooperation with the competent authorities.

In detail, doctors and pharmacists have warned that medications sold on websites and social media platforms without a prescription are increasingly being used for self-treatment, even if they are not adulterated. However, such products can easily be misused, whether by not adhering to the duration of treatment and dosage or taking non-medical medications, such as medications to reduce or gain weight. The pharmacist also provides the service of educating patients on the method of use and the number of doses specified by the doctor to prevent harm and misuse of medications.

Specialization first

Family medicine consultant, Dr. Adel Sajwani, confirmed that using any therapeutic or health product without medical advice may have a negative impact on the liver and kidneys in particular, stressing that medical practices must be based on scientific evidence and reliable evidence. He warned against believing that a person benefiting from a product or treatment prescription promoted through social media means that it is valid for everyone, pointing out that there are many people who have been exposed to kidney problems and diseases, which were later found to be linked to the use of herbal preparations or products. It has not been subjected to approved scientific tests or studies.

Sajwani pointed out that taking into consideration medical specialization is one of the basic pillars when choosing treatment methods, as an ophthalmologist cannot treat cartilage problems, just as an orthopedic doctor does not specialize in treating diabetic patients. Each medical branch has its own scientific field that requires long years of study and training, and therefore the importance of referring to specialists and relying on the unqualified to seek treatment should not be overlooked.

Increased risks

Family medicine consultant, Dr. Salam Kashmoula, said: “Some entities and individuals market medical products via the Internet and social media platforms, without paying attention to the health risks that may result from their use, especially since a large percentage of them are not registered locally or approved by the relevant regulatory authorities.”

He added: “World Health Organization reports indicate that more than 90% of the medicines circulated over the electronic network may be adulterated or do not conform to specifications,” warning that the phenomenon of fraud in this sector is no longer limited to medicines for treating hair loss or skin-lightening and slimming preparations, but has extended to include various medical specialties.

He stressed that the use of medicines or health preparations without a prescription issued by a licensed doctor, and after conducting the necessary clinical examination, may lead to serious health complications, including affecting the functions of the liver and kidneys, or causing failure of some organs of the body, in addition to potential damage to the heart and blood vessels and causing multiple diseases and complications.

Pharmaceutical warning

Pharmacist Dr. Dania Maher said: “Dealing with websites that sell medicines without providing clear addresses or declared contact numbers raises many question marks, and exposes consumers to multiple risks, as it is difficult in these cases to verify the manufacturer’s website or know the source of the product, its components, and the mechanism of its circulation,” pointing out that the risk of purchasing medicines online is not limited to health risks only, but may also result in financial damage, as it is possible that the product will not reach the buyer, or be refused entry into the country if it is shipped from abroad due to… Fulfilling the applicable requirements and controls.

Maher pointed out that ordering medicines from unreliable electronic sources, or what is known as “shadow pharmacies,” may lead to obtaining adulterated or counterfeit products, which may not contain the correct doses or required active ingredients, or may include components and additives that are harmful to health. In some cases, the product may be completely devoid of the basic therapeutic substance, which reflects negatively on the patient’s health condition and delays his access to appropriate treatment, which may lead to an exacerbation of the disease or the emergence of new complications.

Misleading claims

The pharmacist, Amira Muhammad Ali, confirmed that many platforms and electronic pages promote medicines and health products that claim their ability to treat chronic diseases and improve the health condition of patients, while they may entail serious health risks and complications, especially since they are sold and used without medical supervision or an approved prescription. She pointed out that despite these warnings, these products are still popular and popular among some segments of society.

Purchasing motives

Doctors and pharmacists unanimously agreed that there are seven main reasons that push some individuals to buy medicines through websites and social media platforms, which are the lower prices of medicines offered online than those available in traditional pharmacies, ease of access and convenience: the possibility of ordering from home, obtaining medicines that are difficult to find or require a prescription, and privacy, as some individuals prefer to buy medicines related to sensitive or personal health conditions, without speaking directly with the pharmacist or doctor, and being influenced by advertisements and recommendations spread on social media platforms and advertisements and testimonials from users or influencers. It promotes pharmaceutical or health products, which may encourage purchases, in addition to the belief in quickly obtaining treatment, bypassing the procedures of visiting a doctor, and obtaining the medication directly.

Direct risks

They warned of five direct risks resulting from purchasing medicines from unknown or unlicensed sources, including: obtaining counterfeit or adulterated medicines, receiving doses or components that do not conform to specifications, the absence of medical and pharmaceutical supervision, the occurrence of side effects or dangerous drug interactions as a result of inappropriate use, in addition to exposure to financial fraud or theft of personal data.

Tight control

For her part, Member of the Federal National Council, Mona Rashid Tahnoun, said, “The spread of the sale of medicines and medical and cosmetic products through many websites and social media platforms raises serious concerns regarding the safety of these products, their sources, their validity, and the extent to which they are subject to approved health oversight, as reports by international health authorities indicate that selling medicines online without strict controls constitutes one of the most prominent global health challenges, due to the serious health risks it entails, including the circulation of counterfeit, expired, or non-conforming medicines.” specifications, which may put the lives of patients and consumers at risk.

She stressed the importance of tightening the approved control system for medicines and medical products sold through websites inside the country, tightening the mechanism for verifying their validity and compliance with approved quality and safety standards, and tightening the measures taken to confront the sale of medicines through websites outside the country that are not subject to local control and protecting the consumer from the risks of their use, noting that controlling the circulation of medicines through electronic platforms does not only represent a regulatory challenge, but rather is a collective responsibility to protect the health of society, enhance confidence in the health system, and ensure the safety of circulated pharmaceutical products.

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List of counterfeit medicines

The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi confirmed that it has managed and published a list of adulterated nutritional supplement products on its official website, which pose a danger when used by the public, and has been warned against their use by local and international health institutions, noting that the use of these products could lead to serious health effects, as they are manufactured and stored in inappropriate conditions, and do not follow good manufacturing practices, which may lead to the product being contaminated with harmful substances, such as bacteria, fungi, and heavy metals, and some of these products have also been proven to be adulterated with pharmaceutical substances that have not been approved. Announcing its presence in the product, stressing the need for members of the public to pay attention and take the advice of the treating physician or health care professional before using any medical product.

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Supervision and inspection

The Emirates Drug Corporation confirmed, in a parliamentary report on investigating the national security of the pharmaceutical industry, that its sectors include a control and inspection department concerned with monitoring social media sites, as well as websites, to monitor products that do not have a license from the corporation to sell these products, and based on Federal Decree Law No. (38) of 2024 regarding medical products, the pharmacy profession, and pharmaceutical facilities, violations and maximum penalties are imposed for these practices, especially if counterfeit products are circulated. In the country.

The Corporation indicated that it has specialized departments for pharmacovigilance that are in contact with international and regional forums, in the event of any counterfeit or substandard medicines being circulated in the country’s markets, and the necessary measures are taken to withdraw them and violate the entities that carry out these unsound practices, pointing out that it is also in contact with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and the Digital Government to block these sites or remove violating products, and this is more widely applied within the country. It also aspires to strengthen and develop the aspect of product control outside the country. In addition, it has specialized departments to track import operations and the entry of products into the country’s ports, and if these products are monitored or include narcotic drugs, they are seized, in cooperation with strategic partners from local and federal customs.

• 7 motives behind electronic purchasing, and 5 direct risks that threaten the consumer.