Fake cargo declarations, ‘AI doctors’ fuel unregistered drug trade
The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society says smugglers and online sellers are exploiting gaps in border checks and e-commerce controls.
On August 12, the Kelantan health department confiscated 5,584 items, valued at approximately RM60,000, from seven locations in Kota Bharu. These products, allegedly unregistered, primarily included slimming medicines. The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society (MPS) attributes this surge of unregistered medicines and cosmetics to two key factors: fraudulent cargo declarations at border entry points and inadequate safeguards on e-commerce platforms.
Their president, Amrahi Buang, explained that smugglers employ land routes and clandestine entry points, concealing high-risk goods within ordinary commercial cargo containers under general cargo labels to avoid detection. These syndicates also utilize storage facilities in industrial or residential zones as transit hubs before distributing the products to the local market.
Amrahi highlighted the concerning use of artificial intelligence by illegal sellers to fabricate false images or voices of medical professionals, thereby deceiving consumers. Moreover, they frequently establish new accounts or links following detection by authorities. The seizes in Kelantan on August 19 included suspected unregistered slimming medicines containing scheduled poisons, underscoring the potential health risks posed by such illicit products entering the market.
The existing fines for violations under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and Poisons Act 1952 were deemed insufficient by Amrahi, suggesting the need for stricter legal measures. He proposed increasing penalties for both manufacturers and e-commerce platforms involved in the distribution of illegal products, including potential financial sanctions against platform operators if they fail to implement effective screening measures.
Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, emphasized the severe health consequences of consuming illicit slimming products, which often contain prohibited substances. These products, despite their low cost and easy accessibility online, are not only ineffective but can lead to severe health issues such as fertility problems, liver and kidney damage, organ failure, and even cancer.
She advised consumers to verify product registration status and consult qualified medical professionals before using any supplements.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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