Perak Health Department seizes RM2mil in unregistered bodybuilding supplements and cosmetics


State health ministry pharmacy enforcement department Mohd Zawawi Abdullah (2nd left),and his deputy Norhuda Tajuddin (3d left) and officers holding the steroid anabolic health pharmacy products during a raid around Kinta district.

IPOH: The state Health Department has confiscated over RM2mil in unregistered bodybuilding supplements and cosmetics in a coordinated effort.

State Health deputy director (Pharmacy) Norhuda Mohd Tajuddin said the raids were conducted on Tuesday (Jan 21) on six premises near here.

The operation, named Ops Pharma 2.0 and Ops Gudang, targeted the sale of unregistered body stimulants containing anabolic steroids and non-notified cosmetics sold online.

The raids were a joint effort between the department and the Health Ministry’s Pharmacy Enforcement Division.

“A total of 620 types of products and one digital device were seized,” she read a statement on behalf of the department’s director during a press conference Wednesday (Jan 22).

“Steroids are included in the category of controlled poisons and should be taken on the advice of a doctor and pharmacist, but are often misused to build muscles.

“Unsupervised use may damage the kidneys, cause diabetes, high blood pressure and hormonal imbalance in the body.

“The offence of possessing a scheduled poison for sale without a valid poison license is an offence under Section 13(a) of the Poisons Act,” she said.

The ministry’s pharmacy enforcement division director Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, who was also present at the press conference, said six people aged 30 to 50 were held for questioning.

He said the raids were carried out at stores and warehouses.

“He said four investigation papers have been opened concerning the case.

“We are also investigating where these products are imported from and tracking the agent involved,” he said, adding that the products mainly sold online have been in the market for at least four years.

The public can check the status of drug registration or cosmetic notification of products by going to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) website at https://www.npra.gov.my under the "Product Status" section or by contacting the agency at 03-78835400.

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