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The explosive rise of weight-loss products marketed through social media has made consumer vigilance more urgent than ever, especially as online ads increasingly push supplements described as “natural,” “safe” and “fast-acting” without any scientific proof or regulatory approval to back those claims.According to Mudhi Al-Hajri, a therapeutic and community nutrition expert, who spoke exclusively to Gulf Times, the recent warning issued by Qatar’s health authorities over a slimming product found to contain undeclared pharmaceutical substances is a stark reminder that many so-called natural products may conceal serious health risks.Laboratory testing revealed the product contained sibutramine and phenolphthalein, two pharmaceutical compounds that were not disclosed on the label, effectively making it adulterated and potentially dangerous to consumers.Sibutramine was once prescribed as an anti-obesity medication but was withdrawn from many international markets after studies linked it to higher risks of high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, heart attacks and strokes in vulnerable patients. Phenolphthalein, formerly used as a laxative, has also been discontinued in numerous countries over safety concerns and its possible association with an increased risk of certain cancers after prolonged use.Al-Hajri warns that the greatest danger lies in the fact that these substances are deliberately omitted from ingredient labels. As a result, consumers may unknowingly ingest prescription-strength drugs, exposing themselves to dangerous drug interactions and potentially life-threatening complications, particularly people with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and older adults.She explains that some unscrupulous manufacturers intentionally add these pharmaceutical compounds to trigger rapid appetite suppression or dramatic weight loss. Consumers, believing the results come from herbal ingredients, are misled into trusting products whose apparent effectiveness is driven by concealed medications rather than natural formulations.Al-Hajri urges consumers to exercise caution by following several essential precautions: avoid purchasing weight-loss products through anonymous social media accounts or unverified online advertisements; ensure that any product is officially registered and licensed by the relevant health authorities; be wary of marketing claims such as “100% natural,” “no side effects” or “guaranteed results within days”; and consult a physician or qualified nutrition specialist before using any weight-loss supplement.While legislation imposing penalties on those who import, sell or promote adulterated or unlicensed products is an important safeguard, Al-Hajri stresses that legal action alone cannot fully protect public health.An effective consumer protection system, she argues, must combine strong legislation, rigorous regulatory oversight, sustained public education and close cooperation between government authorities and digital platforms.She advocates tougher penalties against anyone involved in importing, distributing or advertising products containing undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients, alongside the confiscation and destruction of offending products. Repeat offenders, she says, should face stricter sanctions, especially when violations lead to serious health consequences or fatalities.Equally important, she says, is closer coordination with social media platforms to ensure the swift removal of illegal advertisements and accounts promoting unlicensed products once notified by the relevant authorities, thereby reducing public exposure to potentially harmful supplements.Public education remains the cornerstone of prevention. Al-Hajri calls for wider circulation of the names and images of non-compliant products, greater awareness of the risks posed by hidden pharmaceutical ingredients and stronger encouragement for consumers to buy only from trusted, regulated sources rather than relying on misleading ads or celebrity endorsements that lack scientific credibility.“Human health should never become a testing ground or a vehicle for quick profit,” she says. “Every product introduced to the market must be safe, licensed and subject to rigorous regulatory oversight.”She concludes that safeguarding consumers is a shared responsibility involving regulators, legislators, digital platforms, the media, healthcare professionals and consumers themselves. Ultimately, awareness prevents harm before it occurs, effective oversight keeps dangerous products off the market and strong legislation ensures accountability for those who endanger public health. 

Amid the testing regional security situation, Qatar's pharmaceutical manufacturers are pushing back with a show of resilience — running factories around the clock, sitting on months of strategic reserves, and rerouting supply chains through Saudi Arabia and Oman to keep medicines flowing without interruption.Such measures aim to ensure the stability of the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain and reassure the healthcare sector and the public. Some industry representatives said the local pharmaceutical plants are running round-the-clock under pre-established crisis management plans designed to guarantee uninterrupted production and the steady flow of medicines to the domestic market. Additionally, coordination is underway with healthcare authorities, particularly Hamad Medical Corporation, to ensure that hospitals and health centres maintain adequate supplies.Further, manufacturers noted that their current priority is meeting domestic demand, and exports have been temporarily suspended until regional conditions become clearer. Emergency logistics plans are also in place to secure the arrival of raw materials via alternative routes, including land transport through Saudi Arabia and Oman.Dr Ahmed al-Sulaiti, chairman of Qatar Pharma, said the factory continues operating 24 hours a day at full production capacity. The company manufactures more than 580 pharmaceutical products registered with the Ministry of Public Health, covering a wide range of essential medicines including antibiotics, pain relievers, intravenous fluids, ampoules, dialysis solutions, eye, ear and nasal drops, and medical creams.He added that the company holds substantial stocks of manufactured medicines and raw materials to cover demand for extended periods. Some shipments have already been rerouted to alternative regional ports and airports, including routes through Oman, as part of previously established contingency logistics systems. He stressed that expanding local pharmaceutical manufacturing is a key pillar of Qatar’s drug security strategy and reduces reliance on international supply chains during crises.QLife Pharma deputy CEO Ali Mohamed al-Muhannadi said the plant’s three production lines are operating normally at full capacity. The factory currently produces more than 150 pharmaceutical products while maintaining a strategic stock of manufactured medicines sufficient for six months to one year, with some products having shelf lives of up to three years.Al-Muhannadi noted that the company has also secured enough raw materials to sustain production for at least six months without additional supplies. The plant maintains supply contracts with Hamad Medical Corporation and several private hospitals, and all deliveries are continuing as scheduled. Emergency logistics plans include the option of transporting shipments by land through Saudi Arabia or Oman if necessary. 

Russian scientists have developed smart pharmaceutical formulations capable of changing their physical structure from liquid to gel or solid within the body, depending on environmental conditions, such as temperature or pH. Sechenov Medical University of Russia said in a statement that these pharmaceutical innovations aim to increase treatment effectiveness and facilitate the use of medications in targeted areas such as the eyes, teeth, or nasal mucosa. Among the most notable of these innovations are eye drops containing lidocaine for local anesthetic during eye surgery. These drops transform from a liquid to a gel on the surface of the eye, prolonging the anesthetic effect and improving its effectiveness. The innovations also include a product for patients with atopic dermatitis. This product is applied to the skin like oil and transforms into an emulsion when rinsed off, forming a protective layer that helps restore lost protective functions of the skin. In the field of dentistry, scientists have developed polymer matrices for preparing dental implants. These matrices harden in the socket and release therapeutic substances, accelerating the healing process and reducing the risk of complications. Scientists confirmed that these results represent a promising step toward enhancing the efficacy of topical medications and reducing side effects. They also confirmed their current work on developing medications to deliver vaccines through the nasal mucosa. The expertise and achievements of Sechenov University have attracted international attention. This year, scientists from China, Serbia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan visited its laboratories to learn about its achievements and potential applications during training and summer courses, with plans to develop joint projects in the future.