SHAH ALAM: Unregistered cosmetic and healthcare product sellers have resorted to numerous tactics and modus operandi including online marketing to avoid detection, while exposing users to various health risks.
In its efforts to curb the illegal activity, Selangor Pharmacy Enforcement branch carries out checks and raids, with most recently conducted in several locations on Oct 16.
State Health Director Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim said the team seized a total of 2,669 of unregistered healthcare products and cosmetics worth RM407,000.
“The items, which did not carry product notifications 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 in a statement on Saturday.
He said the offence carries a maximum penalty of RM25,000 fine and three years’ jail.
“For each of the subsequent offences, the sellers are liable to a fine of up to RM50,000 and maximum five-year imprisonment upon conviction,” he said.
Dr Khalid advised the public against using unregistered products or items without notifications issued by the ministry.
“The public may check the status of products or the cosmetic notification by visiting website npra.moh.gov.my or call the National Pharmacy Regulatory Agency (NPRA) at 03-7883 5400.
“Consumers are also welcomed to forward complaints or information on suspicious products and play a role to stop the selling of unregistered health products,” he said.
He said complaints could also be forwarded to the ministry’s Pharmacy Services Programme through website www.pharmacy.gov.my or the Civil Service Complaints Management System portal (SisPAA) moh.spab.gov.my.
“The public can also forward their complaints to any of the Pharmacy Enforcement Branches in the state to ensure actions could be taken to curb unregistered products in the market,” he said.