“They are not medicines!” pharmacist: Here is what is behind the ‘miracle’ products sold online…

“The ads promising quick solutions to health problems are flooding social media, attracting hundreds of consumers every day. The most vulnerable to these scam schemes are the elderly, who often lack the necessary information to distinguish a safe product from a fake advertisement.”

This was the topic discussed on the show “Shije Shtëpie” this Monday, June 15.

Pharmacist Diana Toma explained that Albanian legislation clearly prohibits the online sale of medicines, while many of the products advertised online do not meet the criteria to be considered medicines.

“The category ‘medicine’ is also prohibited for pharmaceutical products that are truly medicines in nature. Online trading and, consequently, advertising of them is prohibited, and there are specific rules clearly defined by law regarding their advertising. No medicine is truly a medicine in the way it is presented, otherwise they would pass all the control stages of state structures as required by law.

They would also have the security seal attached, which identifies that the pharmaceutical product has passed all these stages, is certified for the ‘miraculous’ properties claimed in advertisements, and above all, the price is set in accordance with Albanian legislation. For all the category we are talking about, we do not find this context. The offer is linked to the financial aspect of attracting purchases, while the concept of ‘medicine’ is truly linked to its effect. We need to naturally stop using it in this way, but without understanding the ‘medicine’ part, they are not medicines!”

According to her, most products sold online are classified as food supplements and not as medicines, which places them under a different control and supervisory institution.

“Unfortunately, the category ‘food supplements’, even as a control target, is not under the Ministry of Health but is controlled by the National Food Authority (AKU), meaning it is a branch under the Ministry of Agriculture. Supplements are supposed to be sold in pharmacies, and the law allows them to be sold freely. This can lead to abuse, and we are in such a situation, considering how easy commercialization of life has become today. We must be careful with the term ‘medicine’ because food supplements and teas are being advertised, which are not medicines either in terms of effects or dosages. In pharmacies you find medicines and non-medicines, but you also find the assistance of a health professional who has sufficient knowledge to guide you towards proper use.”

The pharmacist also addressed one of the most widespread beliefs among consumers—that any product of plant origin is automatically harmless. According to her, this myth must be debunked.

“We have often talked about the cultivation of cannabis, which is of plant origin but causes irreversible changes to the nervous system. On the other hand, senna leaves, also a plant, are used as a laxative, and if overdosed it becomes a purgative, causing a disruption of the body’s electrolyte balance. That is why it should be taken in pharmacies so that the dosage, method of use, and necessary precautions for patients can be properly advised.”

For Toma, skepticism toward products advertised without certifications and official guarantees should be constant, as the consequences are not limited only to possible side effects.

“I see it with a lot of skepticism because even if the product hasn’t harmed you, it has caused harm through the worsening of the condition due to not using the right treatment at the right time.”

According to the pharmacist, although advertisements target all age groups, the elderly remain the most exposed to these forms of fraud, while the lack of control in the online space makes the problem even more concerning.

“In this entire media and online trading environment, care does not prevail, but rather exploitation and profit.”

Experts advise that no product purchased online should be used without prior consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Abandoning treatments recommended by health professionals in favor of products advertised on the internet can have serious health consequences and, in some cases, may even endanger patients’ lives.

“KORÇA BOOM”