How many raids did the Health Ministry conduct for unregistered medicines?

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Health Ministry Conducted Over 1,000 Raids for Unregistered Medicines Between January and September This Year

The Health Ministry conducted more than 1,000 raids nationwide from January to September this year, resulting in the seizure of unregistered medicines valued at RM25.7 million. These enforcement actions targeted 88 identified hotspot areas, including major city centres, small towns, public transport hubs, and even Felda and Felcra settlements, where 700 premises were classified as significant sellers of such products.
Raids Target Identified Hotspot Areas

The raids were strategically focused on 88 hotspot areas, identified as key locations for the sale of unregistered medicines. These areas encompassed both urban centres and smaller towns, and also served as focal points for foreign nationals. The scope of these hotspots extended to include settlements like Felda and Felcra, as well as crucial public transport hubs for buses and trains, indicating a comprehensive approach to identifying and disrupting supply chains.
Seizure Value Shows Significant Financial Impact

The operations between January and September this year resulted in the confiscation of unregistered medicines valued at RM25.7 million. This figure represents a substantial financial impact on the illicit trade. For comparative context, in 2016, the ministry seized unregistered medicines worth RM47 million across 1,396 raids, which then increased to RM68.8 million from 1,405 raids in 2017, highlighting a persistent challenge in combating this issue.
Key Categories of Seized Unregistered Medicines Identified

Among the major categories of unregistered medicines seized this year, slimming products accounted for the highest value at RM961,595. Other significant seizures included sexual stimulants valued at RM530,616, painkillers worth RM376,680, and beauty injection products amounting to RM137,187. The analysis of these seizures revealed that while most painkillers were imported, other categories like slimming products were often illegally produced domestically.
Ongoing Efforts and Challenges in Combating Illicit Trade

The Health Ministry's pharmacy enforcement division continues to actively combat the sale of unregistered medicines, despite facing considerable challenges. These difficulties include tracking down online sellers and locating clandestine illegal factories. To address this, the division has implemented initiatives such as the DiPS (Didik, Pantau, Serbu) programme, as part of the Pharmacy Programme Strategic Plan 2017-2020, demonstrating a structured approach to enforcement.

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How many raids did the Health Ministry conduct for unregistered medicines?

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