KUALA LUMPUR – Access to 2,600 websites have been blocked and more than RM2.2 million worth of non-registered pharmaceuticals seized in a nationwide operation between May 18 and 25.
“Irresponsible online sellers have been peddling controlled drugs, purportedly for Covid-19 treatment, as well as masks, thermometers, gloves, surgical gowns, test kits, nasal aspirators and alcohol swabs that are not registered with the Medical Device Authority.
“There is also an increasing trend of sales of psychotropic substances by unauthorised sellers on these platforms,” said Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today.
The operation, called Pangea XIV, involved the National Central Bureau/Interpol Malaysia, Health Ministry, Customs Department, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Pos Malaysia and CyberSecurity Malaysia.
Dr Noor Hisham said some of the blocked websites include those on the dark web and social media pages.
In the operation, some 972 postal parcels were inspected and 157 of them were found to contain 9,115 units of unregistered pharmaceutical products worth RM108,352.
He said that inspections were carried out at all major entrances nationwide, involving air cargo, airports, border posts and ferry terminals, and, as a result, 961 units of unregistered medicines worth RM42,213 were seized.
“Other enforcement activities involved targeted raids on sellers and business premises linked to online sales.
“Some 94 business premises selling unregistered pharmaceutical products and premises distributing unregistered psychotropic substances were raided.”
He said in the raid, a total of 61,864 units of illegal pharmaceutical products with an estimated value of RM2,071,855 were seized.
Also seized were computers and mobile phones while regular directives are issued to e-marketplace platforms on the sale of unregistered products.
“Compared to Operation Pangea last year, more than 60% of the products seized this year were controlled drugs under the Poisons Act 1952 while 18% of the controlled drugs seized contained psychotropic substances.
“The rest are high blood pressure medications, diabetes, abortion pills, anti-inflammatory drugs and others, most of which are not registered with the Health Ministry,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said the public needs to ensure that health products sold either online or on premises have hologram security stickers and product registration numbers.
Product registration status can be verified online under “Product Status”, or via its NPRA Product Status mobile app available on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Huawei AppGallery. – The Vibes, June 13, 2021
