KOTA KINABALU: Consumers are advised to be cautious before buying widely-promoted beauty or health supplements and purported medicines.
The Sabah Health Department’s Pharmacy Services Division advised consumers to check any purchases outside pharmacies or hospitals through the MyUBAT (FarmaChecker) mobile application.
Sharing this advice on its website, the division cited the growing online and open sale of products that may not be certified by the authorities.
The division said these medicines or supplements can come in various forms such as tablets, liquids and ointments.
They are usually marketed and sold online, through websites, social media or offline through brochures and other handouts, it added.
However, the division noted that it is difficult to distinguish genuine products from fakes, or approved medicines from uncertified ones.
It said MyUBAT allows users to find out if the product they plan to buy is verified and certified by Malaysian authorities.
"It is easy, quick and consumer-friendly. Make product-checking a norm before purchase and avoid becoming victims of illegal medicine," it added.
