Beware of health ads via social media

The warning comes after the ministry’s health advertisement department intercepted text messages promoting weight reduction and skin whitening products through the BlackBerry Messenger.

“The messages were from unknown sources and were requesting contact details of the users,” said Dr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licences at the ministry. Other products being promoted were sex enhancement drugs, he added.

As per the ministry rules, the health advertisement department monitors and adjusts any health services ads for medicines that are unlicensed or unregistered in the UAE.

The official said that the pharmaceutical and drug administration and medical licences department investigates complaints received from the public.

“The ministry has contacted relevant authorities to take necessary precautions against such advertisements as they violate all health rules and are a danger to the society,” he added.

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