New Act to Be a Bitter Pill

01-Jan-2012

The ministry’s Pharmaceutical Services Division director of pharmacy enforcement Mohd Hatta Ahmad said current laws like the Poisons Act 1952, Sale of Drugs Act 1952 and the Control of Drugs and Cosmetic Regulations 1984 were archaic and did not provide sufficient deterrence.

“All these laws are in the final stages of review and will be rewritten under the proposed Pharmacy Act, which will provide heavier penalties to offenders, especially repeat offenders,” he added.

“These manufacturers can make millions in just a few months, so the current fine of RM50,000 under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 is nothing to them,” said Mohd Hatta.

The Star reported yesterday that syndicates were using food products and supplements such as sweets and chocolates to market active ingredients of prescription drugs such as Cialis, Viagra and Levitra.

Mohd Hatta added that stiffer fines in the range of millions of ringgit would be imposed and manufacturers’ licences would be revoked if they are found guilty.

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