Imported goods in large quantities, without Vietnamese sub-labels
Just enter the phrase "weight loss injection pen" or "weight loss pen" on groups and social networking platforms, users will easily encounter a series of advertisements, from videos sharing experiences, self-injecting instructions to public sales posts with introductions to lose weight quickly, with few side effects.
To avoid being censored by the platform, many sellers use other images instead of injection pens, limit the use of the word "inject", replace it with symbols, abbreviations or call the product "box", "pen" to deceive the content scanning system.
Not only online consulting, many sellers also actively arrange to meet customers for direct transactions.
In the role of someone who needs to buy, the reporter contacted a Facebook account posting a liquidation of weight loss injection pens and was scheduled to meet at Khuc Thua Du street (Cau Giay ward, Hanoi).
The seller introduced the market as currently popular with two lines of 2.5mg and 5mg injectable pens. The product to be carried is the 5mg type, priced at 1.9 million VND for two pens (950,000 VND/pen).
It is worth mentioning that when asked about Vietnamese sub-labels and documents proving the origin, the seller admitted that the product was not available: "This time there is a shortage of goods, I accidentally peeled them off, so I liquidated them at such a cheap price. Goods are smuggled from Japan, so there are no sub-labels. Only goods in the hospital are fully documented''.
Continuing the survey, the group of reporters contacted another person who introduced himself as specializing in distributing "company goods", receiving wholesale and retail sales. Knowing that customers needed to import large quantities, this person arranged to transact at a small alley on Trung Kinh street (Yen Hoa ward, Hanoi).
Real-world observation shows that all information on the packaging is in foreign languages, without Vietnamese sub-labels as prescribed. The 5mg injection pens are offered for sale at a price of about 1.4 million VND/piece.
Although affirming that the goods were imported in large quantities, the seller also could not present invoices and documents proving their origin when reporters requested.
I went all the way to Hanoi and still couldn't find goods with auxiliary stamps. We took them from the general warehouse, each time we imported hundreds of boxes. If you don't scan the QR code, you can completely return them," the seller said.
In addition to selling products, many accounts also advertise receiving weight loss injections at home or directly at the facility. In the role of someone who needs to lose about 3kg in a month, reporters came to an establishment in Quoc Oai commune (Hanoi).
The facility owner said that customers will receive four 2.5mg injections before switching to 5mg. Although the reporter informed that he has a history of low blood pressure, this person still affirmed that he can use the product.
This shot is safe but must be done according to instructions. You only need to start with a low dose because if you inject 5mg immediately, it will easily cause nausea or poisoning due to overdose," this person said.
It is noteworthy that when checking the QR code on the medicine box, all information is displayed in foreign languages. The facility owner also admitted that he had to use automatic translation software to read information and advise customers, but he did not know any Japanese.
This means that user instructions, dosage advice, and customer monitoring are mainly based on personal experience rather than medical expertise.
Surveys at the facility also show that many boxes of used pens are placed right in the injection area.
According to the facility owner, most customers are encouraged to get vaccinated directly so that they can monitor after vaccination and intervene in time if abnormal reactions occur.
You should get vaccinated right here. If there is a reaction, we will support you immediately, emergency medicine is available," this person said.
Risks from weight loss injections
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of Surgery, Phuong Dong General Hospital, there are many potential risks when weight loss pens are drugs that directly affect the body's metabolism, not products that can be used arbitrarily according to online advertisements.
Buyers have almost no basis to determine whether the syringe is genuine or fake, whether it has been changed in active ingredients or properly preserved. With injectable drugs, just a product contaminated or mixed with impurities can cause serious complications," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan said.
Not only facing the risk of buying poor quality goods, users can also use them to the wrong target or in the wrong dosage.
''Overdosing or increasing the dose too quickly can lead to nausea, prolonged vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, dehydration, electrolyte disorders, hypoglycemia, and even affect kidney function,'' Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized.
From a legal perspective, lawyer Tran The Anh - Deputy Director of XTVN Law Company Limited (Hanoi Bar Association) - said that advertising weight loss pens for sale on social networks without invoices, documents proving their origin and without Vietnamese sub-labels shows signs of violating many regulations on goods management and protection of consumer rights.
''According to Article 15 and Article 17 of Decree 98/2020/ND-CP (amended and supplemented), for acts of trading in smuggled goods or goods of unknown origin, depending on the value of goods and nature, severity of violation, individuals or business organizations may be administratively sanctioned. The penalty level will be determined based on the value of violating goods and related details, the penalty level ranges from 300,000 VND to 100,000 VND and is twice the penalty level for some special types of goods related to food, chemicals, veterinary drugs, cosmetics, medical equipment'', the lawyer said.
In cases where the act is of great value, illegally profited or has sufficient elements to constitute a crime, the violator may also be prosecuted for criminal liability for the crime of Smuggling under Article 188 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017.
Besides the issue of goods origin, the fact that many products are advertised for sale entirely in foreign languages but without auxiliary labels in Vietnamese is also an act showing signs of violating regulations on goods labeling.
''For organizations and individuals trading in imported goods with original labels in foreign languages but not implementing the affixing of auxiliary labels in Vietnamese according to regulations, they may be administratively sanctioned according to Article 31 of Decree 119/2017/ND-CP, which has been amended and supplemented by Decree 126/2021/ND-CP. Being fined from 500,000 VND to 100,000 VND and being fined twice as much for goods that are food, foodstuffs, cosmetics, veterinary drugs, pesticides... This is the penalty level applied to organizations and individuals with the same violation, the penalty level is reduced by half'', the lawyer emphasized.
