MMA wants stronger enforcement after repeat discovery of illegal clinics

The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged health authorities to adopt stronger, sustained enforcement measures against illegal clinics and the distribution of unregistered medicines following repeated discoveries of such operations in the past year. President Dr L Sivanaesan emphasized that simply closing down illegal clinics is not enough, as the perpetrators could simply establish new clinics elsewhere.

Sivanaesan advocated for intelligence-led enforcement, including coordinated inspections of suspected locations and regular follow-up inspections of previously identified illegal premises. He also stressed the need to monitor the entire supply chain, from the importation of unregistered medicines into the country to the facilitation of their distribution by individuals aware of their illegality.

Furthermore, Sivanaesan called for enhanced screening at Malaysia's entry points to prevent the entry of unregistered medicines in the first place. The call for stricter enforcement came after the health ministry uncovered four premises in Kuala Lumpur, two of which were allegedly illegal clinics, selling and storing unregistered medicines. These premises were reportedly operated under the guise of selling textiles and running travel agencies, with the alleged operators being foreigners.

Inspections revealed the presence of unregistered medicines, including blood pressure and blood sugar testing equipment and medicines not approved by the ministry. Sivanaesan highlighted the serious risks posed by the use of unregistered medicines, antibiotics, and medical equipment by unqualified or unregistered individuals, noting that such practices can lead to patient safety issues and contribute to antimicrobial resistance, which threatens the broader population.

He underscored that healthcare must be provided by qualified and registered professionals at properly registered healthcare premises, using only approved medicines and medical equipment.