Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration is enforcing stricter import and online sales regulations on GLP-1 receptor agonists to protect public health, amid rising reports of adverse events and illegal trade.
Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration has reminded travellers that GLP-1 receptor agonists, the injectable medicines widely used for type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, weight management, can only be brought into the country with a prescription. The agency said the quantity carried must not exceed what is prescribed and may not amount to more than six months’ supply.
People entering Taiwan with the drugs may use the green “Nothing to Declare” channel if they are within the rules, but the FDA said they can still be selected for random checks. This year, authorities have handled 448 cases involving imported GLP-1 medicines, and 80 of them were judged illegal. Fines totalling NT$2.36 million were issued for offences including unauthorised pharmaceutical activity, dispensing without following proper procedures and selling medicines without prescriptions.
The FDA is also tightening its online oversight. It has asked Meta to remove 1,374 posts promoting illegal medicine sales and has urged the Taiwan Network Information Centre to block five websites suspected of being linked to scams. At the same time, the agency said it has not found any travel agencies arranging trips for people to buy the drugs overseas, nor has it uncovered related illegal advertising.
Safety concerns have helped drive the crackdown. The FDA said pharmacists have been asked to step up risk controls after receiving 54 adverse-event reports since 2023 linked to GLP-1 receptor agonists used for weight control. Reported problems have included gastrointestinal discomfort, low blood sugar, nausea, vomiting and reactions at the injection site. The agency urged the public not to buy or use the medicines through unofficial channels, warning that products from unknown sources or improper use could pose serious health risks. Similar concerns have been echoed by the US Food and Drug Administration, which has warned about unapproved, compounded and counterfeit GLP-1 products, and has moved to tighten import controls and telehealth promotion rules around them.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
