The Penang Health Department seized about 16 tonnes of unregistered health products and medicines, worth RM2.9 million, in a series of raids yesterday. Pic by NSTP/Courtesy of Penang Health Department
The Penang Health Department seized about 16 tonnes of unregistered health products and medicines, worth RM2.9 million, in a series of raids yesterday. Pic by NSTP/Courtesy of Penang Health Department

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Health Department seized about 16 tonnes of unregistered health products and medicines, worth RM2.9 million, in a series of raids yesterday.

Its director, Datuk Dr Wan Mansor Hamzah, said the the department confiscated the items, which included scheduled drugs without the Drug Control Authority’s approval, in the operation nicknamed “Op Khing 2”.

He said the items were seized from a Chinese medical hall and three double-storey shophouses in Bukit Mertajam and Georgetown.

“The raids were carried out based on a tip-off given by the Sarawak pharmaceutical enforcement division following a similar raid there recently,” he said.

Dr Wan Mansor said 62 pharmaceutical enforcement officers from Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak, as well as the Health Ministry’s pharmaceutical division, took part in the operation.

Pic by NSTP/Courtesy of Penang Health Department
Pic by NSTP/Courtesy of Penang Health Department

Five policemen, he added, also accompanied the team.

Dr Wan Mansor said the department would conduct its own investigations to track down those in possession of similar items.

He urged those with information on the matter to contact the Penang Pharmaceutical Enforcement division at 04-2292319.