SINGAPORE — An 18-year-old girl has been caught red-handed selling unregistered contact lenses on Telegram, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) against illegal health products.
Operation Details
In a global enforcement operation that ran from 16 December 2024 to 16 May 2025, HSA successfully took down a staggering 1,288 listings for unlawful health products across local e-commerce sites and social media platforms. Among these, 171 listings were specifically for unregistered contact lenses.
A Profitable Yet Dangerous Business
- The young seller was found to have bought 500 pairs of unregistered lenses at S$6 each from an overseas website.
- She then attempted to sell them for S$12 a pair from her booth in a shopping mall in the East.
During their investigation, HSA seized 280 pairs of these lenses and issued warnings to 732 other sellers involved in similar activities.
Health Risks of Unregistered Products
According to HSA, the lenses sold by the teen have not been evaluated for safety and quality, posing serious health risks to users, including:
- Eye infections
- Corneal ulcers
- Potential vision impairment
Since January 2024, the agency has recorded seven reports of adverse reactions among contact lens users, with conditions ranging from conjunctivitis to corneal ulceration.
Legal Implications
The penalties for selling unregistered health products are severe. Individuals found guilty can face:
- Up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to S$100,000.
- For those who engage in providing unregistered contact lenses, the legal repercussions are equally serious.
Moreover, unqualified individuals dispensing such products can incur fines or imprisonment, increasing further with subsequent offences.
Public Awareness
HSA urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious health products or activities to their hotline or via email. This ongoing crackdown is not just about enforcement; it’s about protecting public health.