PETALING JAYA: A social media platform has removed posts promoting an experimental drug known as “Reta Pens”.
Searches for the term on the platform now yielded no results on Wednesday (June 3).
“This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines,” an alert on the platform read.
However, The Star was still able to access earlier promotional videos through links to sellers’ profiles.
On June 1, The Star reported that “Reta Pens” were being promoted on social media and being sold on the black market as a next-generation weight-loss drug.
The drug remained under regulatory review worldwide.
Retatrutide, also known as Reta Pens in its pre-filled injection pens and vial form, was developed by an American pharmaceutical company as an experimental obesity treatment.
The Star’s investigation found that the Reta Pens were sold for RM250 to RM788, depending on the dosage..
The company that was developing the drug said that retatrutide had completed Phase 3 clinical trials on May 21. It has yet to receive approval from health regulators.
The Health Ministry has confirmed that retatrutide is not registered with Malaysia’s Drug Control Authority (DCA). Because of this, it is unable to verify the safety, quality or efficacy of products claiming to contain the substance, including those sold online, and therefore it is illegal to import, promote and sell the drug in the country.
To date, one warning letter has been issued, and 51 listings linked to retatrutide have been removed from social media and e-commerce platforms.
