ALOR SETAR: A total of 227 products and items of traditional Chinese health products worth RM13.4mil were seized during an operation conducted by the state health department on Monday (Jan 26).
Kedah health director Dr Nor'Aishah Abu Bakar said the unregistered products were confiscated during the operation that saw 11 premises inspected by the Pharmacy Enforcement Division (CPF).
"The products were identified as locally produced, unregistered traditional Chinese medicines suspected of containing prohibited substances such as steroids, allopurinol and other ingredients listed under the Poisons Act 1952," she said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 27).
Dr Nor'Aishah said during the raid, enforcement officers seized three digital devices and three milling machines. She said the offences contravene Regulation 7(1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 and are punishable under Section 12(1) of the Sale of Drugs Act 1952.
She said upon conviction, an individual may be liable to a fine of up to RM25,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both, for a first offence; and a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both, for subsequent offences.
For a company committing the same offence, a fine of up to RM50,000 may be imposed for a first offence and up to RM100,000 for subsequent offences.
If convicted under the Poisons Act 1952, the party concerned may be liable to a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
She said the enforcement action forms part of the ongoing efforts of the Kedah CPF to combat the sale and distribution of illegal health products in the Malaysian market.
The operation was in collaboration with the Pharmacy Enforcement Division of the Health Ministry, as well as several other state CPFs, namely CPF Perlis, Perak, Selangor, Terengganu and Kelantan.
