RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced that it had identified a number of unregistered peptide products being offered and marketed through websites and social media accounts without obtaining the required licenses from the authority. The action comes as part of its ongoing efforts to monitor products traded through online sales channels and verify their registration status and safe distribution. According to the SFDA, the products are unregistered and of unknown origin and have not met requirements for safe transport and storage or approved pharmaceutical supply chain standards, making it impossible to verify their safety, quality, and storage and handling conditions. The authority noted that some websites and accounts used misleading marketing claims suggesting that the products were tried or tested and were of high quality and reliability, which could give consumers a false impression of their safety or approval. The SFDA said action against the websites and accounts was taken after verifying that they had failed to meet registration and lawful distribution requirements, in addition to offering and marketing the products through unauthorized platforms. It stressed that such violations require legal action against the violators. The authority said these violations fall under Paragraph 2 of Article 34 of the Law of Pharmaceutical and Herbal Establishments and Preparations, which prohibits the sale, dispensing, or possession with the intent to trade of unregistered pharmaceutical products. Penalties stipulated by law may reach a fine of SR5 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The SFDA stressed that the circulation of unregistered products or products of unknown origin may pose risks to consumer health and safety because their safety, quality, and compliance with approved requirements and standards cannot be verified. It added that their use without medical supervision may expose users to potential health risks. The SFDA said it has taken legal action against the owners of the violating online stores in preparation for referring them to the Public Prosecution. The authority stated that it will continue monitoring websites and online platforms to verify the compliance of products and establishments with regulatory requirements, enhance the safety of products in circulation, and protect public health. The SFDA urged members of the public to verify product sources and registration status before purchasing them and not to obtain pharmaceutical products from unreliable or unlicensed sources.
