PETALING JAYA - Malaysia’s Health Ministry says it will act on complaints from the public about “energy sticks”, a vape-like nasal inhaler that is being sold online.

For a start, it said advertisements for the products – which have not been registered with the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency as required by the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 – will be taken down from popular e-commerce platforms.

“Monitoring and enforcement action will also be taken (against) the sellers,” the country’s health director-general, Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, said in a statement on Feb 8.

“Early checks on (popular) e-commerce platforms by the ministry found local and foreign sellers advertising and selling the product,” he added.

“The ministry, through its Pharmacy Enforcement Division, will take enforcement action by removing the advertisements.”

Dr Muhammad Radzi said those who sell unregistered health products are in breach of Rule 7(1) (a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.

Those found guilty face a fine of up to RM25,000 (S$7,000) or up to three years’ jail or both for the first offence, he added.

For subsequent offences, those convicted can be fined up to RM50,000, or jailed for up to five years, or both.

Dr Muhammad Radzi reminded consumers to make sure that any product claiming to have health benefits bears the ministry-issued hologram sticker and product registration number before buying them.

“The Health Ministry is committed to protecting the health and well-being of the public through continuous monitoring,” he said.

He encouraged people to lodge any complaints with the Pharmacy Enforcement Division at www.pharmacy.gov.my or the Public Complaints Management Agency at moh.spab.gov.my or to call 03-78413200.

It was reported recently that the ministry had received complaints from a public health group about the availability of the product, which is priced as low as RM2.50 and targeted at young children.

Local advertisements for the vape-like product show two-pronged nasal inhalers, which come in a range of common vape flavours.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said on Feb 4 that immediate action would be taken to curb the sale of such products.

Earlier on Feb 8, Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh urged schools throughout the country to immediately report any cases of the use of “energy sticks” among students. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK