Recently, a noticeable wave of ads has focused on so-called GLP-1 weight loss solutions. Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva
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Finland’s medicines authority Fimea has issued a public warning about a growing number of online advertisements promoting health products with false claims and unauthorised references to official approval.
According to Fimea, these ads are spreading widely across websites and social media. Many falsely state that products are certified or recommended by Fimea or unnamed medical experts.
“Typical scams use our agency’s name or logo without permission to make the ads appear credible. The products are often presented as officially approved medicines or medical devices,” said Sami Paaskoski, senior pharmacist at Fimea.
Fimea stressed that it does not issue certificates for products. Only medicines with a valid marketing authorisation, granted either by Fimea or the European Medicines Agency, are legal for sale. Approved medicines are listed in Fimea’s public medicine database and sold through licensed pharmacies.
“These scam products must not be confused with authorised medicines. Legal pharmaceutical advertising never emphasises the authority’s name or approval as a marketing claim. Doing so is misleading and should always raise suspicion,” Paaskoski added.
Medical devices in Europe are not pre-approved by authorities. Instead, the manufacturer is responsible for meeting regulatory requirements. A CE marking indicates that the device complies with applicable legislation.
“Genuine devices do not include grand claims of regulatory approval on their packaging or in advertising. Such statements are a clear sign of false advertising,” said Jari Knuuttila, lead specialist at Fimea.
Misleading marketing claims are often targeted at consumers through online shops and social media platforms. These promotions typically promise rapid, reliable results for a wide range of conditions and audiences.
Recently, a noticeable wave of ads has focused on so-called GLP-1 weight loss solutions. These products are incorrectly advertised as being Fimea-approved.
“Fimea has not assessed or approved these weight loss products. We have no information about their quality, effectiveness, or safety,” warned Noora Lindgren, coordinator of Fimea’s market surveillance team.
Fimea outlined several common signs of misleading health product advertising:
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Unclear contact information: Legitimate sellers list clear company and customer service details.
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Overpromised results: Claims like “lose weight fast” or “perfect flu remedy” are typically unfounded.
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Before-and-after photos: Emotional imagery is used to create a false sense of effectiveness.
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False authority references: Fimea and other agencies may be named without permission.
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Urgency tactics: Countdown offers and “last chance” messages push rushed decisions.
Fimea advised consumers to take extra care when buying health products online. Buyers should identify the nature of the product, medicine, supplement, or cosmetic, as different rules apply for ordering items from abroad.
Only medicines from licensed online pharmacies should be trusted. Approved products can be verified in Fimea’s database.
Consumers are also urged to protect their personal information and avoid making purchases from sites that lack secure payment options or delivery guarantees.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
