Authorities are investigating a complaint concerning healthcare professionals allegedly administering unapproved injectable and other products to members of the public, with claims that they can improve health, wellbeing and the function of the body’s organs.
The Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health are on alert as the practice, which has reportedly become increasingly widespread abroad in recent years, appears to have reached Cyprus.
According to information, the complaint concerns a specific healthcare facility where treatments are allegedly being carried out using products that have not been approved for human use.
The competent authorities are examining the information, including the type and origin of the products and the circumstances under which they are allegedly administered. A complaint to police may also be filed.
Products promoted for multiple benefits
The products reportedly include preparations marketed with claims relating to weight loss, anti-ageing, muscle growth, recovery, wellbeing, appearance and general health.
Authorities have also received information about similar products allegedly being administered at other locations where no healthcare professionals are present.
These products may include peptides, hormone analogues and other substances with pharmacological effects, whether administered by injection, orally or in other forms.
‘Natural’ does not mean safe
The Pharmaceutical Services stress that a product does not become legal or safe simply because it is advertised as “natural”, a “food supplement” or “for laboratory research only”.
When a preparation is actually intended for human use, such descriptions do not exempt it from pharmaceutical legislation or guarantee its quality and safety.
Such labels can instead create a misleading impression of safety and encourage people to use substances whose composition, concentration and origin have not been properly assessed.
Injectable products carry greater risks
Particular concern surrounds products administered by injection or intravenously.
Authorities warn that administering substances in this way bypasses the body’s natural protective mechanisms. If products have not been manufactured, stored and distributed according to pharmaceutical standards, they can pose serious risks.
These include:
- Contamination
- The presence of an unknown or different active substance
- Incorrect concentration or dosage
- Toxicity
- Infections
- Serious adverse reactions
An illegally distributed preparation may also contain none of the active substance stated on its packaging, or could contain harmful substances.
This can result not only in treatment failure but also in unpredictable effects or dangerous interactions with other medicines being taken by a patient.
Authorities urge consumers to use legal sources
The Pharmaceutical Services are urging the public not to obtain pharmaceutical products through the internet, social media or unauthorised individuals and premises.
The warning applies even when products are promoted as “innovative”, “safe”, “side-effect free” or “for research use only”.
Pharmaceutical products should come from legal and regulated sources and, where required, be prescribed by a doctor and supplied through licensed pharmacies.
The Pharmaceutical Services stressed that the circulation and distribution of unlicensed or unapproved pharmaceutical products in Cyprus constitutes a breach of legislation and is subject to the relevant penalties.
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