Egyptian Warning About Unknown Source Products on Social Media

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The Egyptian Drug Authority has warned against unauthorized promotional practices for products and medications, noting the spread of advertisements and promotional content that may include misleading information about medical and cosmetic products.

The authority clarified on Tuesday that some content providers in the health and beauty sectors are publishing unapproved promotional materials, warning that misleading information could lead to the misuse of products or expose citizens' health to potential risks.

In the same context, the authority confirmed that its official list of violating advertisements includes 19 cases as of the latest update, which includes names, accounts, and advertising entities, along with product data, platform, advertisement date, violation code, and its status.

The reported cases also include advertisements published on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, as well as content issued by some pharmacies and other entities, according to the authority's official list.

It is noted that in recent years, social media platforms have transformed into a vast space for promoting medical and cosmetic products, whether through direct advertisements or videos presented by content creators and individuals who present themselves as specialists in the fields of health and beauty.

The promotional materials for medical products are subject to advertising and pharmaceutical marketing regulations, whether published through websites, social media platforms, or other means, as confirmed by the Egyptian Drug Authority.

In September of this year, the authority officially launched a list of "violating advertisements" to allow access to the advertisements it monitors, including unauthorized advertisements for registered products, or advertisements for unregistered products that include misleading marketing or medical claims.

The authority has also previously warned against promoting unknown-source products via social media, emphasizing that some advertised products may not be registered with them, and that using products with unknown ingredients or sources may cause health risks.

At the same time, the authority announced that monitoring procedures are not limited to advertisements, clarifying that it seized 39 pages and electronic accounts in July that were used for the illegal promotion and sale of medicines and medical preparations.

The regulatory measures resulted in the seizure of 15 cases related to internet crimes concerning pharmaceuticals, as part of efforts to combat the promotion and illegal sale of medical products through online platforms, according to the Egyptian Drug Authority.