The Ministry of Health (MoH), in coordination with the
Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and the relevant authorities, has apprehended trainers of Arab nationalities working in gyms and fitness centers for selling and promoting weight-loss medications, hormonal drugs, and unsafe peptide substances that are unregistered and unauthorized for use. The violators were also found to be storing these products under improper conditions. The action followed the Ministry’s monitoring of health- and medicine-related content published on social media platforms. Such practices constitute clear violations of the regulations in force in the Kingdom, including the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions, the Pharmaceutical and Herbal Establishments and Products Law, and the Anti-Cybercrime Law.
MoH explained that the operation was launched after monitoring social media posts advertising and promoting these products through false health and therapeutic claims made by unqualified individuals. An undercover purchase was carried out, followed by tracing the supply chain to a warehouse, where authorities found a quantity of unsafe, unregistered, and unauthorized medicines, in addition to hormonal products, peptide substances, and unregistered retatrutide, some of which remain under ongoing clinical trials and have not yet been proven safe or effective. The operation reflects the Ministry’s regulatory role in strengthening compliance with approved health regulations and protecting public health from unlawful practices. MoH affirmed that inspection campaigns will continue in cooperation with relevant authorities to ensure compliance and enhance the safety of healthcare services.
The Ministry confirmed that legal measures have been taken against the violators in Riyadh and that they will be referred to the competent authorities to complete the statutory procedures. It noted that violations of the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions may result in imprisonment for up to six months and financial penalties, in addition to sanctions stipulated under other applicable regulations.
MoH urged gyms and fitness centers to strengthen oversight of their staff, ensure compliance with applicable regulations, and prevent the promotion of any unauthorized products or activities. It also advised athletes and gym-goers to obtain medicines and health products only from trusted sources and under the supervision and recommendation of licensed healthcare professionals to avoid health complications resulting from the use of unregistered, unknown, or scientifically unverified products.
The Ministry warned against using unregistered medicines due to the serious health risks they may pose. It stressed the importance of obtaining medicines and health products from reliable sources under qualified medical supervision and avoiding the use of products that have not completed clinical trials or obtained the necessary approvals confirming their safety, efficacy, and registration with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. It also emphasized that trading or using such products outside authorized distribution channels may expose users to significant health risks.
MoH further contacted a number of individuals who had purchased these products and whose names appeared on the seized sellers’ customer lists. They were provided with the necessary awareness regarding the risks associated with these products and were advised to discontinue their use, dispose of them safely, and consult healthcare professionals for appropriate medical evaluation and follow-up.
The Ministry urged the public not to be misled by promotions of unknown products circulated on social media platforms. It also stressed the importance of consulting a qualified physician before using any medicine or health product and reporting any violations or suspicious practices through the Unified Call Center (937), thereby contributing to the protection of public health and the enhancement of healthcare quality.