Al-baha: The Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) and relevant authorities, has detained a number of gym trainers of Arab nationalities found selling and promoting unregistered, unlicensed weight loss medications, hormonal drugs, and peptide substances under improper storage conditions.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the crackdown followed monitoring of social media for regulatory violations. A sting operation traced the supply chain to a warehouse containing hormonal supplements, peptide materials, and Retatrutide-a substance still undergoing clinical trials with no proven safety record.
Legal measures have been initiated against the violators, with referral to competent authorities for prosecution. Penalties under the Law of Practicing Healthcare Professions include up to six months' imprisonment and substantial fines, in addition to penalties under other applicable laws.
The ministry has called on gyms and sports centers to strengthen internal oversight and ensure staff compliance. Athletes and gym-goers are advised to obtain health products exclusively from licensed sources and under certified medical supervision.
The public is urged not to act on promotions of unverified products on social media and to consult a specialist physician before use. Violations may be reported through the unified call center at 937.