Awareness campaign on risks of buying medicines online

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 -- The Health Ministry will launch an awareness campaign this month on the risks of buying medicines online.

Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the campaign was aimed at educating consumers about the risks of buying medicine online.

It also aims to help consumers decide by first reviewing all the information contained in the online medicine advertisements, he said in a statement today.

Dr Noor Hisham said, the ministry plans to run the one-month campaign by messaging via WhatsApp, exhibitions, talks, and interviews on radio and television, including infographic distribution on the Ministry of Health's official social site.

“The campaign will offer various useful tips and will also serve to ensure that the medicines being purchased online are legitimate, authorised by the ministry and consumers must check the drug registration status with the ministry.

“Next, consumers can review the advertisement of the medicines and ensure the advertisements have been approved by the Medicine Advertisements Board,” he said.

The hashtag #biarbetuliklanni! was chosen for the campaign to instill caution among consumers to prevent them from easily believing medicine ads and various dubious testimonies online.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry viewed seriously the sale of medicines online and advertising of medicines with various claims of dubious authenticity.

“Consumers are exposed to the risk of unregistered medicines, counterfeit drug and adulterated medicines which can be life-threatening. Therefore, consumers should be cautious when purchasing medicines online,” he added.

-- BERNAMA