RM407,000 in illicit products seized in raids

SHAH ALAM: Unregistered cosmetic and healthcare product sellers have resorted to tactics such as online marketing to avoid detection.

The Selangor Pharmacy Enforcement branch has carried out operations to curb the problem, with the most recent being raids on several locations on Oct 16.

State Health director Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim said the team seized 2,669 unregistered healthcare products and cosmetics worth RM407,000.

“The items, which did not carry labels from the Health Ministry, were confiscated under Sale of Drugs Act 1952.

“The raids were carried out following tip-off and surveillance by our personnel.”

He said the offence carried a maximum RM25,000 fine and three years’ jail.

“For each subsequent offence, the sellers are liable to a fine of up to RM50,000 and maximum fiveyear imprisonment.”

Dr Khalid advised the public against using unregistered products.

“The public can call the National Pharmacy Regulatory Agency at 03-7883 5400 to check the status of products or visit the agency’s website at npra.moh.gov.my.

“Consumers are welcome to forward complaints or information on suspicious products.

“This can help put a stop to the selling of unregistered health products.”

He said complaints could be forwarded to the ministry’s Pharmacy Services Programme through www.pharmacy.gov.my or the Civil Service Complaints Management System portal, moh.spab.gov.my.

“The public can also forward their complaints to any of the Pharmacy Enforcement branches in the state to help curb the sale of unregistered healthcare products.”