Note of Editor: This story has been updated.
KUCHING, Feb 22: As much as 50 per cent of drugs sold through online pharmacies are counterfeits containing the wrong ingredients; random mixtures of noxious chemicals; insufficient, too much or no active ingredients, or fake packaging.
This is disclosed by Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi while addressing 2021 Malaysia Economic and Strategic Outlook Forum entitling “The Post Covid New Normal – Where Do We Go From Here?” hold at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.
“In Malaysia, there has been a total of 2,997 cases of counterfeit products reported from 2017-2020. Counterfeit items seized during these operations included products such as food items, medicines, cosmetics, electrical devices, clothing and luxury items,” said Nanta, who is Kapit MP.
He said there has been an increase of 112.5 per cent of online transactions complaints lodged at KPDNHEP in 2020, compared to 2019 (5,416 complaints), where the upwards trend can be contributed to the change of purchasing methods, from the traditional brick-and-mortar purchases to the online platform purchases.
Nanta said while e-commerce is delivering unprecedented product choice, convenience and price transparency, it also presents consumers with a number of new risks, such as identity theft and theft of credit card information.
“Fraudulent offers and transactions also are increasing at alarming rates. In addition, e-commerce platforms are increasingly vulnerable to a growing illicit industry distributing harmful, unsafe, substandard or faulty products, including counterfeit and pirated products,” he said.
These widespread online activities to target and deceive consumers present significant challenges for the government and businesses to investigate and stop the flow of fake and unsafe goods.
“Consequently, existing consumer safety mechanisms must be adapted to safeguard consumers who are directly and instantaneously finding, purchasing and arranging delivery of physical items right into their homes,” he added. — DayakDaily
