Fake health product ads in Finland are becoming widespread online, often using Fimea’s name without permission to appear trustworthy. These misleading ads are found on websites and social media platforms, falsely suggesting official approval to lure consumers into buying unsafe products.
Finland’s medicines authority Fimea has issued a public warning about a surge in fraudulent online advertisements promoting health products with false claims. Many ads wrongly state that products are certified by Fimea or endorsed by unnamed medical experts. Sami Paaskoski, a senior pharmacist at Fimea, explained that scammers use the agency’s name and logo illegally to make their products seem credible. Often, these items are marketed as approved medicines or medical devices when they are not.
No Certificates or Approvals Are Given by Fimea for Products
Fimea clarified that it does not issue certificates for products. Only medicines with valid marketing authorization granted by either Fimea or the European Medicines Agency are legal to sell in Finland. These authorized medicines are listed in Fimea’s public database and sold exclusively through licensed pharmacies. Unauthorized products should never be confused with these legal medicines.
Recognizing False Claims and Misleading Ads
Legal pharmaceutical advertising never highlights Fimea’s approval as a marketing point. Doing so is misleading and should always raise suspicion. In Europe, medical devices are not pre-approved by authorities; instead, manufacturers ensure compliance with regulations. A CE marking means the device meets legal requirements but does not indicate Fimea’s endorsement.
Jari Knuuttila, lead specialist at Fimea, noted that genuine devices do not make grand claims of official approval in advertising or packaging. Such statements are clear signs of false advertising.
Common Warning Signs of Fake Health Product Ads in Finland
Fimea identified several typical features of misleading health product marketing:
- Vague or missing contact information
- Overpromised benefits such as “fast weight loss” or “perfect flu cure”
- Emotional before-and-after photos meant to create false hope
- Unauthorized references to Fimea or unnamed authorities
- Urgency tactics pushing quick purchases like “last chance” offers
These techniques are commonly used in online shops and social media promotions, targeting consumers with false promises.
The Rise of Fake GLP-1 Weight Loss Product Ads
Recently, there has been a notable increase in advertisements promoting GLP-1 weight loss products claiming Fimea approval. Noora Lindgren, coordinator of Fimea’s market surveillance team, warned that Fimea has not assessed or approved these products. Their quality, effectiveness, and safety remain unknown.
How Consumers Can Protect Themselves
Fimea advises buyers to be cautious when purchasing health products online. Key recommendations include:
- Determine if the product is a medicine, supplement, or cosmetic, as rules differ
- Only trust medicines from licensed online pharmacies
- Verify products in Fimea’s public medicine database
- Avoid websites lacking secure payment methods or delivery guarantees
- Never share personal or payment information on suspicious sites
By following these steps, consumers can reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.
