PETALING JAYA - The high demand for sex stimulants and
cosmetic products has resulted in a boom for cheap counterfeit supplies, said
Health Ministry senior assistant director of pharmaceutical services division
Mazlan Ismail.
"In Malaysia, the trend is
that many young adults seek cheaper Viagra and cosmetic products such as skin
whitening products, as well as dietary and slimming drugs at unregistered
pharmacists," he said in his speech at the Hard Facts Media Workshop.
Mazlan said counterfeits were
attractive as they are cheap but contained potentially dangerous contaminants
such as arsenic, nickel, heavy metal and floor polish. He said in 2010, the
ministry had seized RM16 million (S$6.4 million) in unregistered, counterfeit
and adulterated drugs and last year it seized RM22.5 million of these drugs.
Mazlan warned consumers about
buying medication online as many had fallen victims to illegal pharmacies.
"Regardless of the claims
they put on their website, buyers need to be aware of the dangers which they
are exposing themselves and their health by purchasing these products
online," he said.
In Malaysia, counterfeit
medicines are legally categorised as unregistered medicines and cases are being
investigated and charged as unregistered products under the Sales of Drug Act,
said Mazlan.
The Star/Asia News Network
No comments:
Post a Comment