KUCHING: The state may see the setting up of a task force to look at every medicine imported to the state.
Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil said that he himself would suggest to the state government for such task force to properly check all medicines imported to the state.
“I will suggest (to the state government) for a task force that will enable all levels of medicine to be checked before entering the state,” Dr Jerip said when contacted yesterday.
He was asked to comment on an AFP report published yesterday that China had busted a gang that produced and sold fake medicines.
According to the report, some of the medicines were made of animal feed, and to make the fake drugs similar to the real one in terms of colour, weight and other senses, some even added iron powder and diazepam (used to treat anxiety disorders) into their products.
Dr Jerip said he would make the suggestion once he “has settled down” because at the moment he doesn’t even have an office yet.
Meanwhile, the state Health Department viewed the matter very seriously and will intensify effort to check all pharmacies.
“When there is a report like that, we look at it very seriously, and we will definitely carry out checks,” its director Dr Zulkifli Jantan said when contacted yesterday.
He said that the department had always carried out routine checks to ensure that all medicines were real and safe for patients.
He added that all medicines sold have the approval and chop from Ministry of Health, which patients must always check before buying.
He advised patients not to buy any medicine without approval from the Health Ministry.
State Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, meanwhile, said the ministry was willing to help in this matter.
The director Wan Uzir Wan Sulaiman said although the matter was not under their purview, they were more than willing to help if requested.