KUALA LUMPUR: Health experts are calling for stronger transparency as unapproved health products continue to be promoted by social media influencers.
Rather than enforcing strict degree requirements for influencers as China has done, experts suggest clear disclosures and strategic placement of Health Ministry-approved labels to curb misinformation and protect the public.
The Chinese government recently passed a new law requiring influencers to hold degrees if they wish to discuss topics such as health, medicine, finance, law or education.
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This step is reportedly aimed at combating misinformation and protecting the public.
Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, a public health medicine specialist and lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the solution lies not in banning people from speaking but in requiring disclosure of affiliations with NGOs, government bodies or sponsors.
She said social media is difficult to regulate, allowing misinformation to spread.
“Whatever influencers mention might lead to public misinformation that could cause ill effects, such as reduced herd immunity or fuelling anti-vaccine sentiment,” she said.
Prof Sharifa also warned of serious health risks from unregulated diet pills, including liver, kidney and nervous system damage, insomnia and rebound weight gain.
Prof Dr Jamalludin Ab Rahman, director at International Islamic University Malaysia’s Kuantan campus, noted that unapproved supplements may contain toxins or interact with medicines, posing dangers to the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions.
While requiring influencers to hold degrees could increase accountability, he said it may silence legitimate educators.
“It is better to target clinical advice and commercial promotions rather than general wellness comments. We need to empower the public to share the responsibility of educating others as well, but within scope and not to act like an expert,” he said.
The public health medicine specialist called for prominent, standardised labelling linked to the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency or Health Ministry, supported by enforcement and long-term public education.
“We can run digital-literacy campaigns, even in schools, on how to evaluate social media information.
“Whether from an expert or not, information must be evidence-based, and it is very important that there should be no conflict of interest,” Dr Jamalludin added.
Retired Health Ministry director Datuk Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar urged immediate prioritisation of clearer regulations on product promotion on social media, warning that unapproved products may contain hidden steroids or banned substances that can seriously harm health.
“They are not tested for safety or effectiveness like proper medicine. It is a waste of money and poses serious health risks when left untested by the right authorities,” he said, adding that bad health advice spreads like a virus online.
“When people follow it, they can delay proper medical treatment, leading to worse health outcomes. It erodes public trust in real science and healthcare professionals.
“Malaysia could emulate China’s move, but full verification may be difficult to enforce. A more feasible first step is a strong focus on mandatory Health Ministry approval for any health product being advertised.”
Independent health advocate Dr Sean Thum stressed that the public also bears responsibility.
In Malaysia, he pointed out, some influencers promote unlicensed products or “miracle cures”, and such posts attract thousands of views and comments, especially when they play on emotions such as fear, hope or shame.
“A study from Australia found that more than 87% of health-related influencer posts only highlighted benefits of medical tests or treatments, while fewer than 10% cited credible scientific evidence.
“When such content goes viral, it can distort people’s understanding of health and lead to poor decisions about their bodies and well-being,” he said.
Dr Thum recommended a transparent framework requiring creators to declare credentials and commercial interests, alongside stricter moderation of misleading content on social media platforms.
On Nov 20, the Health Ministry announced it had issued RM120mil in compounds for offences involving unregistered medicines, under Regulation 7(1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, as part of efforts to combat illicit products online.
