Pahang: The Pahang State Health Department (JKNP) seized unregistered medicines and cosmetics, including traditional products without proper notification, valued around RM1.526 million last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Health Director Datuk Dr. Rusdi Abd Rahman stated that the seizures resulted from raids on 77 premises statewide, with 95 percent of the violations involving the sale of these 63,815 unregistered products.

Dr. Rusdi highlighted the risks associated with such products, which often contain harmful substances like steroids and antibiotics, leading to serious health issues such as kidney and liver damage. He urged consumers to consult doctors for any health concerns. The raids are part of an effort to empower consumers to avoid these dangerous unregistered medicines.

In the previous year, 80 cases related to these violations were prosecuted in court, resulting in fines totaling RM208,000. Dr. Rusdi mentioned that the Pahang branch of the Pharmacy Enforcement Division (CPF) discovered active supplies of unregistered medicines in rural retail stores, especially in 42 Felda Settlement areas in the Kuantan region.

Since 2023, CPF Pahang has been implementing a Quality Assurance project aimed at significantly reducing the percentage of retail stores selling unregistered medicines in these areas, with a target of a 95 percent reduction by 2026.