Big Drop in Fake Health Products

PETALING JAYA, Tues. – There has been a significant drop in the number of

imitation health products in the market since the introduction of

hologram stickers on medical products on May 1.

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the ministry seized RM27

million worth of imitation health products from pharmacies last year,

compared with RM6.5 million in 2003.

So far this year, the amount has dropped considerably as evident from

the fewer seizures of such products by the ministry’s pharmacy services

division since the ruling came into force, he said.

Dr Chua was speaking after opening the National Regulatory Conference

at a hotel here today.

The stickers are imported from a French company and supplied by

Mediharta Sdn Bhd to importers and pharmaceutical manufacturers at 5.6

sen each.

They have three security features, including serial numbers.

The effectiveness of the stickers will be evaluated every year.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Chua said until July this year, the Drug

Control Authority had registered 101,423 products, including 10,206

medicines and 69,810 cosmetics.