World · Malaysia Bureau
Counterfeit shipments, AI doctors fuelling unregistered medicine surge
Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry is grappling with a surge in unregistered medications entering the market through fraudulent cargo and artificial intelligence-powered medical consultations. The Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia has called for stricter penalties to combat the growing public health threat.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia has raised alarm over escalating volumes of unregistered medicines flooding the domestic market, attributing the problem to counterfeit shipments and the proliferation of AI-powered medical consultation services operating outside regulatory frameworks.
Current penalties have proven insufficient to deter illicit activity, with maximum fines of RM25,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies failing to serve as an adequate deterrent. The association has urged authorities to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and increase financial penalties to effectively combat the issue.
Unregistered medications pose significant risks to public health, as they bypass mandatory safety, quality and efficacy assessments conducted by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. Consumers purchasing these products face unknown health consequences, while legitimate pharmaceutical companies operating within regulatory requirements face unfair competition.
The rise of AI-powered medical services has created additional concerns, as these platforms may recommend unregistered treatments or facilitate direct purchasing of unverified medicines without proper medical oversight. Authorities have been urged to develop regulatory frameworks governing such services to protect consumers and maintain pharmaceutical integrity.