The Ministry of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government, with the aim of protecting citizens’ health and health security, issues a stern warning to all citizens and medicine sellers.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health stressed: “No place other than licensed pharmacies is authorized to provide medicine to consumers; therefore, we ask citizens not to rely in any way on those untrustworthy advertisements and platforms.”
The Ministry of Health warns against using weight-loss and weight-gain medicines, particularly those advertised on social media.
Regarding the harms of those online medicines, the Ministry of Health explains:-
Weight-loss medicines: Most of them contain prohibited chemical substances or large amounts of caffeine and powerful stimulants. This can lead to a dangerously elevated blood pressure, irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmia), heart attacks and strokes, as well as damage to liver and kidney cells.
Weight-gain medicines: Because they contain abnormal amounts of hormones (such as cortisone) and steroids, they can cause immune-system dysfunction, severe hormonal problems and weakening of the body’s vital organs.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed that its monitoring teams are vigorously pursuing violators, and that any person or entity that handles medicines unlawfully will face strict legal action.
