Community Surveillance of Illegal Herbal Products in Online Markets: A TaWai for Health System Approach
1
1 Sirindhorn College of Public Health Trang, Faculty of Public Health and Allied Health Sciences, Praboromarajchanok Institute, Trang, Thailand
2
2 Warinchamrab Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
3
3 Division of Health and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
4
4 Forensic Science Innovation and Service Center, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
5
5 Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
6
6 Innovation Unit for Consumer Protection in Healthcare Products (TaWai for Health Unit), Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A841
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Herbal products are widely used for health promotion and disease management. In Thailand, health economic policy supports their development and utilization in both public and private sectors. However, rapid market expansion has increased the availability of illegal, adulterated, and substandard products, along with misleading health claims. These issues threaten patient safety and burden the healthcare system. The TaWai for Health Unit operates a consumer protection surveillance system for unsafe health products1, 2. Recent data indicate a growing trend of illegal herbal products sold through online platforms. This study presents a case involving products containing Houttuynia cordata Thunb. promoted with overclaims and proposes a participatory monitoring approach.
METHODS:
An action research study was conducted from July to December 2025 in Warin Chamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. Four steps were implemented: (1) community-based surveillance and reporting via the TaWai platform; (2) situation analysis using the TaWai database and monitoring of three online marketplaces; (3) random sampling of suspected products for preliminary steroid screening and laboratory confirmation; and (4) local problem management and reporting to public health authorities.
RESULTS:
Community-based surveillance identified illegal health products. Two patients with non-communicable diseases were identified as users of two illegally marketed H. cordata products purchased online, resulting in poor control of their chronic conditions. Among 32 products sold online (all registered as foods with active status), at least five displayed overclaims on product labels, for instance, chronic disease treatment. At least one product tested positive for steroid adulteration. Community networks and the TaWai Unit implemented community-level risk communication, strengthened consumer health literacy, and reported findings to Thai regulatory authorities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Illegal health products sold online remain a significant public health challenge. Community-engaged digital surveillance through the TaWai system provides a sustainable model for consumer protection, regulatory strengthening, and health equity in the digital era.
Herbal products are widely used for health promotion and disease management. In Thailand, health economic policy supports their development and utilization in both public and private sectors. However, rapid market expansion has increased the availability of illegal, adulterated, and substandard products, along with misleading health claims. These issues threaten patient safety and burden the healthcare system. The TaWai for Health Unit operates a consumer protection surveillance system for unsafe health products1, 2. Recent data indicate a growing trend of illegal herbal products sold through online platforms. This study presents a case involving products containing Houttuynia cordata Thunb. promoted with overclaims and proposes a participatory monitoring approach.
METHODS:
An action research study was conducted from July to December 2025 in Warin Chamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. Four steps were implemented: (1) community-based surveillance and reporting via the TaWai platform; (2) situation analysis using the TaWai database and monitoring of three online marketplaces; (3) random sampling of suspected products for preliminary steroid screening and laboratory confirmation; and (4) local problem management and reporting to public health authorities.
RESULTS:
Community-based surveillance identified illegal health products. Two patients with non-communicable diseases were identified as users of two illegally marketed H. cordata products purchased online, resulting in poor control of their chronic conditions. Among 32 products sold online (all registered as foods with active status), at least five displayed overclaims on product labels, for instance, chronic disease treatment. At least one product tested positive for steroid adulteration. Community networks and the TaWai Unit implemented community-level risk communication, strengthened consumer health literacy, and reported findings to Thai regulatory authorities.
CONCLUSIONS:
Illegal health products sold online remain a significant public health challenge. Community-engaged digital surveillance through the TaWai system provides a sustainable model for consumer protection, regulatory strengthening, and health equity in the digital era.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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