LETTERS: THIS is in reference to the deaths of 200 children in Indonesia after consuming contaminated cough syrup. The Indonesian authorities jailed four people found guilty over the issue this month.
It is unthinkable that unscrupulous traders could go to the extent of "consciously" not testing the ingredients, despite having the means and responsibility to do so.
When it comes to chemicals, we cannot afford any error, be it in medicines or in industries. Testing is a must.
I do not foresee such an incident happening in Malaysia as the industry here has an extensive system in quality control.
The first step in its quality control is to test the raw materials that will be used to make the drug.
This is to ensure that the materials meet quality standards and to verify that they have not been contaminated. Quality control is also carried out on randomly sampled finished products.
The pharmaceutical industry must apply to the Health Ministry, Food and Quality Division for the MeSTI certification (Makanan Selamat Tanggungjawab Industri, or "Industry is responsible for food safety").
According to the certification, companies must comply with basic hygiene requirements that focus on operation control, hygiene and maintenance, traceability and record-keeping.
Manufacturers also have to acquire a Good Manufacturing Practice licence and products must be registered by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency or notified to the agency in accordance with the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
With such regulatory controls, it is unlikely that the pharmaceutical industry would run afoul of the authorities.
Some may say there are too many regulatory controls in Malaysia, but they are necessary to avoid a repeat of the Indonesian incident.
WONG SOO KAN
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times