Malaysia Joins Global Crackdown on Illegal Health Products
- DocTok Asia
- Oct 24
- 2 min read
#doctokasia #publichealth #malaysiahealthcare #pharmacyenforcement #counterfeitdrugs #pharmaceuticalsafety #caremunications
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Malaysian authorities have seized over RM7 million worth of illegal health products in a coordinated global operation targeting the online sale of counterfeit medicines.
The nationwide sweep was part of Operation Pangea XVII, an annual enforcement effort led by INTERPOL and supported by 90 participating countries. Globally, the operation resulted in the seizure of more than 50 million doses of illicit pharmaceuticals worth an estimated US$65 million, making it the largest in the initiative’s 17-year history.
Malaysia’s contribution was significant with authorities taking down 7,000 online listings, the highest number recorded by any country in this year’s operation. Raids across the Klang Valley uncovered warehouses and residential units used to store and repackage unregistered medicines, while several travellers carrying large quantities of illicit drugs were intercepted at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, Director of the Pharmacy Enforcement Division at Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, credited the success to public vigilance. “Our enforcement action was prompted by tip-offs from the public through our complaint management system,” he said. “Once verified, our teams moved in to carry out enforcement actions.”
The seized items ranged from prescription drugs and supplements to traditional remedies, reflecting the widespread nature of illegal pharmaceutical trade. Many were marketed through social media and online marketplaces, often disguised as wellness products.
According to the World Health Organization, counterfeit medicines are linked to more than a million deaths each year, a stark reminder of the public health risks behind unverified online sales.
At DocTok Asia, we believe that Caremunications That Matter begin with awareness. When patients understand the risks of unregulated medicine, we move one step closer to a safer, more informed healthcare ecosystem.
Read the original CNA article:
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