ONLINE SALE OF ILLICIT DRUGS

ONLINE SALE OF ILLICIT DRUGS: 9.

Mr Christopher de Souza asked 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.

10.

Ms Ellen Lee asked 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.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Health): Sir, may I take Question Nos. 9 and 10 together?

Mr Speaker: Yes

Mr Hawazi Daipi: 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.

In Singapore, our control strategy comprises several elements. First, there

Column: 1869

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.

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 2008 and is due to the intensified surveillance activities by HSA.

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.

Fourth, HSA works closely with the Immigration and 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 (CNB) for further investigation. It is an offence for anyone to traffic, manu

Column: 1870

facture, import, export, possess or consume any controlled drug, without authorisation. A person engaged in any unauthorised transaction of a controlled drug is committing an offence.

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.

But ultimately, demand drives supply. Consumers must play their part in the fight against Internet sales 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.

Mr Christopher de Souza: I would like to thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his comprehensive reply. I have two questions. Firstly, does the HSA have the investigative enforcement and prosecutorial ability to carry out the regulatory framework that he mentioned? And, secondly, if it does not, would the Senior Parliamentary Secretary consider lending support from MHA in the investigative enforcement and prosecutorial work?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Yes, we are stepping up on our enforcement. We will always work with other agencies, like MHA, to make sure that we can screen, detect and take action against any offenders.

Ms Ellen Lee (Sembawang): Sir, one supplementary question. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary said that the HSA is tracking or monitoring the sales of illegal drugs over the Internet. Would that necessarily mean that if any surfers were to come across such illegal trade, HSA

Column: 1871

would necessarily be the authority to report this illegal trading too?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Yes, Sir, HSA is the right agency to report this kind of offences to, and so are the Police.