Between January and September 2026, Pharmacy Enforcement Division (BPF), Ministry of Health Malaysia received 101 complaints and conducted 47 raids involving weight-loss products, including 30 linked to online sales, with seizures valued at RM771,517, showing growing concerns over how medicines and health products are reaching consumers through digital and unfamiliar channels.
“As public interest in medicines used for chronic conditions, greater awareness and willingness to seek support can be positive, however, increased demand can also create opportunities for misleading claims, inappropriate access and unknown supply routes that bypass established safeguards”
Against this backdrop, the “UNKNOWN SOURCES: Know the Source Before You Trust the Promise” forum was held to raise public awareness of the risks associated with buying medicines and health products from unverified sources.
PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) was invited to gain first-hand experience and learn how consumers can authenticate medicines, verify FarmaTag holograms using the MyUBAT application, and report suspicious products, advertisements or sellers to the relevant authorities. The initiative enables PPHM to better educate our readers, equipping them with practical knowledge to make safer purchasing decisions and recognise potentially illegal or counterfeit products.
Supported by Novo Malaysia, the forum brought together the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Pharmacy Enforcement Division, Malaysian Medical Association, Malaysian Pharmacists Society, Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia and other stakeholders in support of the Ministry’s existing Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah (TOBaTS) public-awareness initiative.
“A medicine obtained from an unknown source can raise several different concerns: it may be unregistered, supplied illegally, advertised inappropriately, stored under uncertain conditions, or obtained without the clinical assessment and professional oversight required for its safe use”
A key focus of the forum was encouraging Malaysians to look beyond the simple question of whether a medicine is “fake” or “genuine”. The forum was designed to support and amplify that existing government-led platform through practical public education on medicine verification, legitimate access and responsible decision-making.
As public interest in medicines used for chronic conditions, greater awareness and willingness to seek support can be positive, however, increased demand can also create opportunities for misleading claims, inappropriate access and unknown supply routes that bypass established safeguards.
A medicine obtained from an unknown source can raise several different concerns: it may be unregistered, supplied illegally, advertised inappropriately, stored under uncertain conditions, or obtained without the clinical assessment and professional oversight required for its safe use.
Dr Azuana binti Ramli, Deputy Director-General of Health (Pharmaceutical Services), Ministry of Health Malaysia, said: “Patient safety begins long before a medicine is taken. As access to medicines becomes increasingly digital, consumers must be empowered to verify medicine registration, purchase from legitimate sources, seek professional advice when needed, and report suspicious products or activities.”
The Ministry has also introduced the use of holographic security labels on all registered pharmaceutical products as a measure to help consumers identify legitimate products. The authenticity of these labels can be verified through the MyUBAT smartphone application.
During 2026, Operation Pangea XVIII Malaysia had seized 130,678 illegal pharmaceutical products worth RM3.15 million while 2,294 online links associated with illegal pharmaceutical sales blocked and removed. BPFalso inspected 497 postal packages, leading to the seizure of 49 packages containing illegal pharmaceutical products valued at RM766,721.
Protecting Public Health Through Effective Enforcement
Tn Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, Director of Pharmacy Enforcement, MOH, said:
“Medicines obtained from unknown or unauthorised sources pose serious risks to public health. Public vigilance and reporting are essential in helping authorities detect suspicious products and illegal activities. BPF takes proactive enforcement measures, including continuous monitoring, blocking and takedown of illegal online advertisements , seizures as well as investigations and prosecution of sellers who violate the law. Close collaboration with other enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical industries, e-commerce platforms, influencers and other relevant stakeholders is essential to strengthen information sharing, coordinate enforcement actions and combat the illegal sale of medicines, particularly through online platforms.”
Why a genuine-looking medicine is not the whole safety question
Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan, President of the Malaysian Medical Association, said: “The question is not only whether a medicine appears genuine. We also need to ask whether it is appropriate for that person, whether they have been properly assessed and who is monitoring their treatment.
“A consultation gives doctors the opportunity to understand a person’s medical history, existing conditions, other medicines and potential risks before treatment begins. It also provides follow-up if there are side effects, concerns or a need to review treatment. Those safeguards cannot be replaced by an online listing, a testimonial or advice from an anonymous seller.”
Honorary Prof Amrahi Buang, President of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society, said: “A licensed pharmacy is not simply a place where a medicine changes hands. It is an important safety checkpoint. “Consumers may not be able to determine from a photograph or online listing how a medicine has been transported or stored. Pharmacists can help people understand registration and prescription requirements, correct use and storage considerations, while providing a professional point of accountability when something is unclear.”
Supporting the existing TOBaTS platform
“People are encountering more health information, more claims and more offers than ever before. That can be positive when it encourages people to understand their health and seek appropriate support, but it also makes trusted information and legitimate pathways increasingly important. TOBaTS is the Ministry of Health’s established public-awareness platform. Novo is supporting that work by helping extend the conversation around responsible medicine access and bringing different stakeholders together around one simple principle: know the source before you trust the promise.” said Tee Loong Tek, Market Access and Public Affairs Director, Novo Malaysia
“During 2026, Operation Pangea XVIII Malaysia had seized 130,678 illegal pharmaceutical products worth RM3.15 million while 2,294 online links associated with illegal pharmaceutical sales blocked and removed. BPFalso inspected 497 postal packages, leading to the seizure of 49 packages containing illegal pharmaceutical products valued at RM766,721”
The forum concluded by reinforcing three practical actions for Malaysians who encounter medicines or medicine-related offers:
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any medications; authenticate the medicine and its FarmaTag hologram through MyUBAT application and report suspicious products, advertisements or sellers to the appropriate authorities
The post What Are You Really Buying Online? Malaysia Cracks Down on Misleading Claims and Unverified Health Products first appeared on PP Health Malaysia (PPHM) | 10POINTS Evidence-Based Health News.
