Turkey: "Vitamin shops" sell illegal drugs, posing public health risk

Businesses operating as "Vitamin shops," "Health shops," and "Drug stores," particularly those targeting foreign tourists in Turkey's tourism regions, pose a new public health risk. While legally permitted to sell dietary supplements, these establishments are reportedly also offering prescription medications and drugs requiring special storage conditions, which should only be available in pharmacies.

According to Turkish law, specifically Law No. 1262 on Pharmaceuticals and Medical Preparations and Law No. 6197, the sale of human medicines is restricted to pharmacies. However, the continued operation of businesses disguised as pharmacies, especially in tourist areas, has reignited debate.

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They are prosecuting under TCK 187, but the business has not been closed and continues to operate. The penalties are very light, a fine of 500,000 lira is given. The person has already accepted this, they don't care. This place is spreading poison. It sells a drug it should never sell, is there anything worse?

In one incident in Antalya's Belek district, gendarmerie inspections at a business within a five-star hotel uncovered 185 boxes of human medicine. Antalya Chamber of Pharmacists President Mustafa Çelebi stated that the products included medications that can only be sold in pharmacies, require a prescription, and need special storage. An investigation has been launched against the business under Article 187 of the Turkish Penal Code for "Manufacturing or Selling Drugs in a Manner That Endangers People's Lives and Health."

Çelebi criticized the penalties as insufficient, noting that businesses continue to operate despite ongoing investigations. He highlighted that the fines are too low and that these establishments sell prohibited medications, creating a dangerous environment. He also pointed out that some shops use a green plus symbol, misleading tourists. In Alanya, the number of such businesses has reached 40, with nearly 20 in Manavgat and Kemer. Çelebi warned that improper storage of these medications, including insulin and growth hormones, could lead to public health issues and severely damage tourism.

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Where they store many drugs, from insulin to growth hormone, the sale and possession of which are completely prohibited, is unclear. On top of that, these require a cold chain.