RM773,092 hand sanitiser without MOH notification note confiscated

KOTA KINABALU: Some 77,938 bottles of hand sanitiser worth RM773,092 from several brands were confiscated by the Sabah Health Department (JKNS) recently for not having a Ministry of Health (MOH)-issued notification note to ensure product safety and quality.

Some 20 raids were conducted in Kota Kinabalu, Putatan, Penampang, Papar, Ranau, Keningau, Sandakan and Tawau on June 25 and 26 with the help of the state Pharmacy Enforcement branch, said JKNS director,

Datuk Dr Christina Rundi in a statement yesterday.

“Selling cosmetic products without a notification note is a punishable offence under Section 12 (1) of the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

“Companies can be fined up to RM50,000 for the first offence and a maximum RM100,000 for subsequent offences.

“While a product advertisement containing a medical claim without the approval of the Medicine Advertisements Board is an offence under Section 4B of the Medicine (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956,” she said.

Rundi advised the public to refrain from buying products without a notification note and said: “All hand sanitiser products have to be issued a notification note by the MOH before they are sold in Malaysia to ensure they are safe for use. This is a serious violation in a time the country is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.” - Bernama