Malaysia cracks down on counterfeit medicine, urges consumers to exercise caution

PETALING JAYA – More than 6,000 units of unregistered supplements worth RM16 million (S$4.8 million) have been confiscated in the past five years in Malaysia, but fake medicine is still freely available in the market.

The Malaysian Health Ministry is now intensifying efforts to crack down on such counterfeit medicine, reminding consumers to exercise caution when purchasing medicine or supplements online.

“These fake health products are often sold by irresponsible individuals who are more interested in profit than public safety,” its Pharmacy Enforcement Division told The Star.

The publication reported on May 17 that some supplements were being sold online with fake holograms and questionable content.

Counterfeit supplements often do not contain the correct active ingredients, while some may contain too much, too little or none at all – and could be ineffective in treating a condition or make it worse.

“Many also contain dangerous or toxic substances. Additionally, these products are often manufactured in unsanitary environments, raising the risk of contamination,” the ministry said.

To safeguard public health, the division is intensifying efforts to monitor websites, social media platforms and online market­places to detect and investigate the sale of counterfeit products.

“Any identified links or listings will be subject to legal action,” it said.

The division is also working closely with major e-commerce and social media platforms to ensure fake listings are swiftly removed, and repeat offenders are dealt with accordingly, so items are taken off the market quickly.

In Malaysia, all pharmaceutical products and health supplements must be registered with the ­ministry’s Drug Control Authority and need a valid registration number, which begins with “MAL” and is followed by a number. These packages also have a security hologram on the packaging.

“Since 2005, the use of security holograms has played an important role in safeguarding consu­mers from counterfeit products,” the ministry said.

“In 2019, the ministry introduced the FarmaTag hologram to enhance and modernise the existing system. FarmaTag allows consumers and enforcement authorities to verify the authenticity of registered products.”

Although counterfeiters have attempted to imitate the hologram, genuine products can still be identified by examining the unique security elements embedded in the FarmaTag label.

The ministry also encouraged consumers to scan the hologram using the FarmaChecker mobile application upon receiving the product, and is organising public education initiatives to raise awareness.

“One key initiative is the Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah campaign, a nationwide effort to educate the public about the dangers of using unregistered and counterfeit medicine,” it said.

It also advised consumers to buy their medicine and supplements from reputable sources such as licensed pharmacies or verified platforms, and to be wary of heavi­ly discounted products online, as these are often counterfeits.

“Fake supplements can cause serious health complications, especially when consumed without proper medical supervision,” it said, adding that genuine products should always come in sealed original manufacturer packaging.

“If possible, compare the product with previous purchases. Any noticeable changes in pill size, shape, colour, taste or markings should raise suspicion. Be cautious of tablets or capsules that appear cracked, powdery or unusually coated with excess powder or crystals.”

Buyers can report sellers of counterfeits, especially those operating through online channels, to the ministry.

“Consumers should also be on guard against unsolicited offers, particularly through spam e-mails or flashy advertisements on social media platforms. These are common tactics used by counterfeit product sellers to lure unsuspecting buyers with ‘too-good-to-be true’ deals,” it said.

Consumers can visit the National Pharmaceutical Regula­tory Agency’s website to verify the registration status of any health products.

Counterfeit products can also be reported via the Public Agency Complaints Man­agement System. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK