The Business Times
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Singapore authorities now reviewing telemed providers’ ads for weight-loss drugs

Lawyers say such advertisements may contravene a ban on ads for prescription medications

Tessa Oh

Tessa Oh

Published Wed, Nov 13, 2024 · 05:00 PM — Updated Wed, Nov 13, 2024 · 09:09 PM
    • The ads for GLP-1 drugs, such as Saxenda, have gained attention for their effectiveness in aiding weight loss.
    • The ads for GLP-1 drugs, such as Saxenda, have gained attention for their effectiveness in aiding weight loss. PHOTO: REUTERS

    SINGAPORE’S authorities are reviewing advertisements that telemedicine providers have put up for certain weight-loss drugs, while lawyers say that the providers could be in breach of a ban on advertisements of prescription-only medicines.

    The telemedicine providers have put out ads for glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, or GLP-1s, a class of drugs that are used to treat Type 2 diabetes but have gained attention for their effectiveness in aiding weight loss.

    In response to queries, the Ministry of Health and the Health Sciences Authority said that they are reviewing the ads flagged by The Business Times and will take “appropriate enforcement action if any contraventions are detected”.

    TelemedicineMedical drugsAdvertising/marketing

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