Written by Stephanie Sta Maria of fz.com
Thursday, 14 February 2013 10:23
PETALING JAYA: A newly released study by an independent think tank that looks into the problem of
fake medicine in Asia, has revealed that 5% of the medicines in Malaysia are counterfeit.
Though the study by Emerging Markets Health Network (EMHN) showed that Malaysia’s fake medicine
prevalence was low when compared to its Asean neighbours, it is a growing problem that must be tackled
earnestly.
EMNH is a new policy centre launched by the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) and is
headed by its Associate Director, Philip Stevens.
Stevens, the former head of the health programme at the International Policy Network in London, coauthored the policy briefing paper along with Dr Helmy Haja Mydin.
The paper also revealed that the quality of the traditional medicine being sold in the country is suspect, as
some have been found to contain poison.
He pointed out that in October 2012, the then Health Director-General, Datuk Seri Dr Hasan Abdul
Rahman, had announced the ban of the traditional product, MYMEN PLUS Capsule 400mg after it was
found to contain tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Dr Hasan also advised against using another traditional medicine, Jin Fei Cao San Extract Powder
“Sheng Chang” to treat the common cough and cold.
The medicine was found to contain scheduled poisons, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine that could lead to
hypertension and psychiatric-related symptoms if used indiscriminately.
Both products’ registration was subsequently cancelled by the Drug Control Authority.
On fake medicines, according to EMHN’s paper, such producers have evolved from basement operations
to manufacturing on an industrial scale.
“A diverse range of players are involved in their manufacture and distribution, including medical
professionals, criminal groups, rogue local pharmaceutical companies, corrupt government officials and
terrorist organisations,” EMHN said.
“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.”
Fake medicine is divided into two categories – medicines with intentionally falsified ingredients and
substandard medicines.
The former category comprises medicines that are usually made with criminal motives and hidden under
the brand or trademarks of legitimate manufacturers.
The latter category constitutes medicines that are legitimately manufactured but sold to the consumer
despite undergoing one or more regulatory failures.
EMHN further cited studies conducted by the Ministry of Health, which reported that 5.2% of over-thecounter medicines are fake.
It also referred to a study by the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia in 2005 which found that 5% of
prescription medicines were fake including eye-drops, inhalers and medication for erectile dysfunction.
Most academics and NGOs have prescribed a mixture of stronger regulation, harsher criminal penalties,
and an increase of enforcement activities against individual perpetrators as methods of tackling the
problem of fake medicine.
But EMHN’s paper has argued that in some countries the creation of new regulatory layers and tougher
criminal sanctions may be counterproductive, especially because 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
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