Ministry requested: Access ban on 1669 websites

The Ministry of Health continues its inspections of internet and social media platforms against illegal drug sales that threaten the health of citizens.

In comprehensive inspections conducted during the first five months of 2025, access was blocked to 519 websites found to be promoting and selling drugs in violation of regulations, and 1150 websites making misleading health claims to the public. Thus, a total of 1669 sites were blocked in just the first half of the year.

The number of sites with similar content blocked since 2020 has exceeded 37,000, reaching a striking level.

"INSPECTIONS ARE INCREASINGLY CONTINUING"

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayar, President of the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) of the Ministry of Health, stated in an interview with Anadolu Agency that inspections regarding illegal drug promotion and sales online are intensifying. Ayar noted that field inspection efforts are being carried out regularly and that they intervene on a 24/7 basis in line with incoming complaints.

Pointing out that citizens may feel anxious due to counterfeit drugs, Ayar emphasized that this is a serious issue not only in Turkey but globally.

"DRUG PRODUCTION IS UNDER STRICT MONITORING"

Stating that it is impossible for unreliable and low-quality drugs to show the desired effect, Ayar made the following assessment: "Drug production processes are under strict control in our country. Our industry and domestic production comply with these conditions. Products from the pharmaceutical industry in our country can be sold to many countries around the world. The inspection of imported and manufactured drugs is carried out effectively by our agency."

Stating that Turkey's Drug Tracking System is cited as a global model, Ayar said, "This system is a robust tracking mechanism that allows for the digital monitoring of all processes from drug production to patient delivery, prevents drug counterfeiting, and ensures access to safe medication."

NOT JUST ACCESS BLOCKS, BUT FINES AS WELL

Recalling that 519 sites have been blocked since the beginning of this year, Ayar stated, "In 2025, as a result of our inspections, access to 519 websites engaged in drug sales and promotion has been blocked." Emphasizing that they do not stop at blocking, he added, "These sites are not only subject to access restrictions but are also issued fines in the amounts stipulated by law."

Noting that the number of sites shut down since 2020 has exceeded 10,000, Ayar issued an important warning to citizens. Stressing that they should consult reliable sources for health issues, Ayar reminded patients that they should only use medication prescribed by a doctor and obtain these drugs from pharmacies.

INSPECTIONS CONTINUE FOR PRODUCTS WITH HEALTH CLAIMS

Ayar stated that promotions and sales involving health claims are also under strict supervision, noting that in 2025, 1,150 websites were reported to the Access Providers Association for using misleading statements. He announced that over the last five years, the number of sites for which access blocks were requested in this context is approximately 27,000.

Warning citizens to prefer only products licensed by the Ministry of Health that are based on scientific foundations, Ayar said, "We recommend that our citizens follow reliable sources such as the official website of the Ministry of Health's Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency."

"THERE IS RESPECT FOR TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS, BUT..."

Commenting on certain traditional products marketed online, Ayar stated, "We respect Anatolian traditions, but promoting these products with health claims is against regulations. I advise manufacturers to verify whether their claims are evidence-based by applying to the TİTCK or provincial health directorates before promoting their products."

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF INSPECTION DATA

Ayar also shared the distribution of online inspections conducted since 2020 by year:

"Within the scope of inspections of websites illegally promoting and selling drugs, 2,694 sites were blocked in 2020, 1,448 in 2021, 1,638 in 2022, 2,574 in 2023, 1,318 in 2024, and 519 sites so far in 2025. Regarding inspections of products with health claims that endanger public health by using misleading or deceptive statements, 7,564 sites in 2020, 4,752 in 2021, 5,225 in 2022, 3,629 in 2023, 4,541 in 2024, and 1,150 sites in 2025 were reported to the Access Providers Association."