Unapproved injections in Cyprus. Authorities investigate complaint.

Cypriot authorities are investigating a complaint regarding the administration of unapproved medications—including injectables and intravenous medications—advertised as a way to achieve weight loss, rejuvenation, muscle development, regeneration, or improved well-being. Pharmaceutical Services warned on September 7 that peptides, hormone analogues, and other substances with pharmacological effects were being marketed.

According to information confirmed by Elena Panayiotopoulou, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, the complaint concerns a specific healthcare worker in Nicosia. The matter will also be referred to the police. The name of the individual, facility, or medications has not been disclosed, so at this stage, we are talking about an investigation, not a finding of guilt.

“Natural” doesn't mean safe

An official statement from the Ministry of Health draws attention to the way similar products are advertised.

They can be referred to as:

• "natural",
• "dietary supplement",
• "no side effects",
• "innovative",
• "for laboratory tests only."

Such a term However, it does not make the preparation legal or safe for administration to humans.If a product is actually used in humans and has a pharmacological effect, it is subject to appropriate regulations and controls.

The authorities are particularly warning against preparations promising weight loss, anti-aging effects, muscle mass growth, faster regeneration or general "improvement of health".

The greatest risk with injections and drips

With oral preparations, there's a risk of unknown composition or incorrect dosage. When the product is administered directly into the body, the problem can be even more serious.

Pharmaceutical Services point out, among other things, the possibility of:

• product contamination,
• the presence of an active substance other than the declared one,
• incorrect concentration or dose,
• toxicity,
• infection,
• serious side effects.

In the case of an illegal product, there's also no guarantee that the substance listed on the packaging is actually inside. Dangerous interactions with other medications are also possible.

The complaint concerns a healthcare worker.

This distinguishes the current case from a simple warning against online shopping.

The reporter quotes the director of Pharmaceutical Services as saying that the office received a report regarding a specific healthcare worker in Nicosiawho is accused of administering intravenously preparations not intended for human use and illegally imported into Cyprus.

Authorities have also received information about similar preparations in other places – including those where medical personnel are not necessarily present.

The official statement mentions the internet, social media in this context, gyms, beauty salons, hairdressers and other unauthorized places.

It is currently unknown which substances the case concerns. Therefore, there is no basis to attribute the case to a specific popular weight loss drug or peptide.

This is not the first such signal this year.

The problem did not appear in September.

Already in March, Pharmaceutical Services raised the alarm about drugs and injectables reaching the island. outside the legal supply chain.

At the time, Philenews reported on cases of drugs being transported in luggage from abroad, particularly from Greece, and of them being found in the possession of healthcare workers, clinics, and other facilities. Authorities announced tightened controls and referred serious cases to law enforcement agencies.

The problem is also that even a drug that is legal in its country of origin cannot simply be imported through a private channel and start functioning in the Cypriot system.

If, for example, a manufacturer withdraws a batch from the market, the Cypriot authorities must know that a specific preparation was even present on the island.

We do not buy medicines in Cyprus from a random online store

There is a very practical thing here that many people may not know about.

Pharmaceutical Services currently advises that There are no registered online pharmacies in Cyprus, and the sale of medicinal products online is generally not permitted in the same way as in many other EU countries. The official website indicates limited exceptions under the regulations, but the basic principle remains clear: the medicine must come from a controlled source.

So if someone finds a product on social media advertised as an injection for weight loss, regeneration, muscle or "longevity", the seller's mere assurance that the product is "natural" or "research-based" does not constitute any confirmation of safety.

Pharmaceutical Services also has an official search engine for medicinal products approved for use in Cyprus.

What to do if someone has already taken such a preparation?

The Ministry does not recommend independently assessing product safety based on packaging or advertising.

A person who has doubts about the medicine being taken should consult the name and origin of the preparation with your doctor or pharmacistThis is particularly important in the case of substances administered by injection or intravenously.

Pharmaceutical Services emphasises that medicines should only be sourced from a legitimate supply chain and, where a prescription is required, should be prescribed by a doctor and dispensed through a licensed pharmacy.

The current case is still under investigation. Further investigation will reveal what preparations were used, where they came from, and whether any violations of the law occurred.

However, the most important warning from the authorities is already clear: An injection advertised as “natural,” “wellness,” or “anti-aging” doesn’t stop being a product that requires scrutiny just because its marketing sounds innocent.

Sources: Pharmaceutical Services – Ministry of Health, Reporter, Cyprus Mail.