Cyprus Pharmaceutical Services warn about weight-loss drugs sold online and in gyms

The Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus have issued a warning about the risks associated with purchasing and using unlicensed medicinal products. They are distributed online, in gyms, beauty centres, beauty salons and hairdressers.

These are products promoted as a way to lose weight, look younger, build muscle or “restore health”. They include peptides, hormonal analogues and other pharmacologically active substances in the form of injections, tablets and other preparations.

The authorities emphasise that labels such as “food supplement”, “natural product”, “safe”, “no side effects” or “for research purposes only” do not make a product either legal or harmless.

The risks listed include an unknown or incorrect composition, the complete absence of the active ingredient, incorrect dosage, contamination and toxicity, infections, serious side effects and dangerous interactions with other medicines. Injectable forms are singled out in particular: they bypass the body’s natural defence mechanisms, meaning that the consequences of contamination or a dosing error can be more severe.

The distribution and sale of unauthorised medicinal products in Cyprus violate current legislation and entail the sanctions provided for under it.

People are advised to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and to consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting to take any medicine.