Selling medication via text messages

WE ALL RECEIVE those annoying text messages announcing discounts at stores, new products, car deals, courses for self-improvement and countless others. You can take them or leave them. At the very worst you will spend money you can’t afford or be taken in by a scam — your choice. However, some scams could cost you more than just money. That’s when anonymous people start peddling medicines.
A week ago I received a text message that said: “Lose 10 kilos in one month only! Call this number 056xxxxxxx.” Another message read: “Lose 500 calories in just 30 minutes! Call 02206xxxx.”
Personally, I never believe any messages from unidentified sources. The writer in me, however, was curious to find out what this miracle drug was.
I called the number and after a long wait, a young man answered. I told him I had received a text message regarding a slimming solution.
He proceeded to pitch me a long-winded spiel about a food supplement manufactured in Australia called Starvex. It could block the appetite all day long, without any side effects whatsoever. In fact, it even had added vitamins and minerals.
A bottle of Starvex tablets costs a mere SR 350 and can be hand delivered to your door. To anyone desperate to lose weight this food supplement sounds like a Godsend. Many would rush to order half a dozen bottles of the stuff, no matter where it came from.
I always search online for the ins and outs on any drug prescribed by any doctor, as I like to know what I am going to be ingesting and what might be the possible side effects. So I researched Starvex. I found a circular from the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, dated Aug. 17, 2011, that validated my suspicions. The title of the circular was: Recall of Starvex capsules and Zotreem Extra capsules.
It said laboratory analysis revealed the presence of phenolphthalein and sibutramine in these capsules.
These ingredients were not mentioned on the external package of the products. It goes on to explain that taking products with these substances can lead to an increased risk for heart attacks and angina as well as posing a danger to patients suffering from irregular heart beats and brain strokes. In fact, these products were not registered with the health ministry, and require pharmacy managers to quarantine these products.
On the impressively comprehensive website of the Saudi food and Drug Authority, I found a link to an excel sheet on SFDA’s list of registered herbal and health products. Here I did not find Starvex capsules.
If marketing via text messages is not monitored, then imagine how many of us could be harmed financially and perhaps even physically? Some might say that a lot of harmful products are being sold out there, so this is no exception. The difference is, products such as cigarettes and other tobaccos are known to be very harmful. Companies are forced to declare this on the packaging. However, miracle diet pills promise you all the benefits without any side effects, and here lies the problem.
Not only do I believe it is the SFDA’s duty to monitor this kind of activity. Someone at the Communication and Information Technology Commission should also be held responsible for the type of text messages sent to unsuspecting people.
Because now, who knows who is accountable if God forbid anyone becomes seriously ill by using this product or others like it? I strongly suggest that no one buys these herbal medicines, through any type of vendor, unless they see a doctor first.

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