Illegal medicines sold through social media and e-commerce platforms remain a serious threat to Malaysians’ health. Between January and September 2026, the Pharmacy Enforcement Division (BPF) of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) received 101 complaints and conducted 47 raids involving weight-loss products alone, including 30 linked to online sales, with seizures valued at RM771,517.
Against this backdrop, the forum “UNKNOWN SOURCES: Know the Source Before You Trust the Promise” took place in Kuala Lumpur on 4 November 2026 to help the public recognise and reject illegal medicines.
Table of Contents
Unknown Sources Forum Unites Partners Against Illegal Medicines
Supported by Novo Malaysia, the forum brought together MOH, BPF, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) and the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia in support of MOH’s Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah (TOBaTS) campaign.
A key focus was encouraging Malaysians to look beyond whether a medicine is simply “fake” or “genuine”. The forum also engaged content creators and media.
Illegal Medicines Seized Worth Almost RM54 Million in 2026
In her keynote speech, Dr Azuana binti Ramli, Deputy Director-General of Health (Pharmaceutical Services), MOH, shared that 22,436 items worth RM70.2 million were seized nationwide in 2025, and 18,617 online advertisements were taken down or blocked. From January to September 2026, a further 17,900 items worth almost RM54 million were seized, and 11,843 advertisements were flagged for blocking.
Operation Pangea XVIII Malaysia also seized 130,678 illegal pharmaceutical products worth RM3.15 million this year, with 2,294 related online links blocked and removed.
Dr Azuana noted growing public interest in medicines for diabetes and weight management, cautioning that a medicine is not safe just because it is popular or promoted by a well-known personality.
“Patient safety begins long before a medicine is taken. As access to medicines becomes increasingly digital, consumers must be empowered to verify medicine registration, purchase from legitimate sources, seek professional advice when needed, and report suspicious products or activities,” she said.
Why a Genuine-Looking Medicine Is Not the Whole Story
Illegal medicines are not only counterfeits. A product from an unknown source may be unregistered, stored under uncertain conditions or taken without the clinical assessment needed for safe use, a theme explored in the “From Scroll to Safety” panel.
Tn Mohd Zawawi Abdullah, Director of Pharmacy Enforcement, MOH, said: “Medicines obtained from unknown or unauthorised sources pose serious risks to public health. Public vigilance and reporting are essential in helping authorities detect suspicious products and illegal activities.”
Dr Sivanaesan Letchumanan, President of the MMA, added: “The question is not only whether a medicine appears genuine. We also need to ask whether it is appropriate for that person, whether they have been properly assessed and who is monitoring their treatment.”
Honorary Prof Amrahi Buang, President of the MPS, said: “A licensed pharmacy is not simply a place where a medicine changes hands. It is an important safety checkpoint.”
How the TOBaTS Campaign Helps Malaysians Check the Source
Launched by the Minister of Health in November 2024, TOBaTS helps consumers understand the risks of illegal medicines, from unregistered and counterfeit to adulterated products, and to buy only from legitimate sources. MOH has also introduced holographic security labels, known as FarmaTag, on all registered pharmaceutical products.
Tee Loong Tek, Market Access and Public Affairs Director, Novo Malaysia, said Novo supports TOBaTS by “helping extend the conversation around responsible medicine access and bringing different stakeholders together around one simple principle: know the source before you trust the promise.”
3 Steps to Protect Yourself From Illegal Medicines
The forum concluded with three practical actions for every Malaysian:
- Consult a qualified healthcare professional before taking any medication.
- Authenticate the medicine and its FarmaTag hologram through the MyUBAT app.
- Report suspicious products, advertisements or sellers to the appropriate authorities.
Learn more about the campaign against illegal medicines on the MOH TOBaTS website. Also read how the Sayang, Kan? campaign encourages Malaysians to approach obesity with care.
