An independent study showing that fake medicine is on the rise in Asia, with 5% of the medicines in Malaysia are counterfeit.
Although the fake medicine prevelance in Malaysia was relatively low as compared to other ASEAN countries, a new policy centre, Emerging Markets Health Network (EMHN) revealed that the fake medicine is a growing problem that must be solved as soon as possible.
According to EMHN’s paper, the traditional medicine which was being sold in the country was suspected to contain low-quality ingredients and some have been found to contain poison. Associate Director, Philip Stevens pointed out that the then Health Director-General, Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman had announced MYMEN PLUS Capsule 400mg was found to contain tadalafil to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence thus banning this traditional product.
Jin Fei Cao San Extract Powder “Sheng Chang”, which was used to treat the common cough and cold was found to contain scheduled poisions, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. The poison can lead to hypertension and psychiatric-related symptoms if used indiscriminately.
The Drug Control Authority has since cancelled both product’s registration. EMHN said the productions have brought out from hidden under the daylight as basement operations have evolved from basement operations to manufacturing on a industrial scale.
“Producers and purveyors of fake medicines are exploiting the increasing globalisation of the pharmaceutical supply chain, poorly defined and enforced civil and criminal laws, and a lack of an international definition of what legally constitutes a fake medicine.” said EMHN.
To prove the case, EMHN further cited the studies done by the Ministry of Health and Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia which found that 5- 5.2% of prescription medicines were fake including eye-drops, inhalers and medication for ere ctile dysfunction. As the fake medicines with intentionally falsified ingredients and the substandard medicines are usually made with criminal motives, most NGOs have urged to enhance the regulation to enforcement activities against the perpetrators with heavier criminal penalties. However, EMHN argued that new powers for regulators create opportunities for bribery and corruption.
“Therefore more effective solutions must address the fundamental causes behind fake drugs, which revolve around the inability of legitimate manufacturers to protect the integrity of their brands and weak protection of intellectual property rights,” EMHN stated.
Source: The Edge
