[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1602488691191{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css_animation=”slideInUp” width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10028″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”” color=”black” border_width=”3″][vc_custom_heading text=”IT MAY BE CONVENIENT” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:34px|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24|line_height:34px” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][vc_custom_heading text=”BUT IS IT SAFE?” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:34px|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24|line_height:34px” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][ultimate_fancytext strings_textspeed=”350″ strings_backspeed=”0″ fancytext_tag=”h3″ fancytext_strings=”By Ridzvaani Nagarajen” strings_font_style=”font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;” strings_font_size=”desktop:15px;” fancytext_color=”#ed1c24″ strings_font_family=”font_family:Montserrat|font_call:Montserrat|variant:regular”][vc_text_separator title=”” color=”black” border_width=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1597027682459{margin-top: 3% !important;margin-bottom: 3% !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_carousel title_text_typography=”” slides_on_desk=”1″ slides_on_tabs=”1″ slides_on_mob=”1″ infinite_loop=”off” autoplay=”off” next_icon=”ultsl-arrow-right2″ prev_icon=”ultsl-arrow-left2″ dots_color=”#ed1c24″ adaptive_height=”on” centermode=”” item_space=”0″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9670″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space height=”2em”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602666916263{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp”][info_list_item list_title=”Could you share with us your thoughts on the idea of buying medicines online?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Tan Zhi Shan, Sujata: As of 29 May 2020, buying medicines, such as pills for high blood pressure, antibiotics or other medicines online are illegal based on our current laws (Poisons Act 1952). These medicines can only be supplied by a registered medical practitioner or a pharmacist at their premises. Some of the medicines will require a prescription too if bought at a pharmacy. Only over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as paracetamol or supplements can be sold online as they do not fall under the regulations.
Buying medicines online without the supervision of healthcare professionals is very dangerous as consumers may take it the way that it is not intended to. Without proper monitoring and medication counselling, it may even lead to harmful effects as well as having a higher risk of contracting the side effect of the medications. Unfortunately, there are some online platforms that are selling these medications openly. Consumers should be wise and resist the urge to buy from these illegal peddlers.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Could you enlighten us on what online pharmacies are?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Zhi Shan: Online pharmacies are pharmacies with a physical store that have established an online presence. Online pharmacies usually showcase the types of services that the pharmacy provide. Some also sell the products that they carry in their stores online.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Could you enlighten us on what online pharmacies are?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]
Zhi Shan: Online pharmacies are pharmacies with a physical store that have established an online presence. Online pharmacies usually showcase the types of services that the pharmacy provide. Some also sell the products that they carry in their stores online.
[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10007″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602667234358{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp” css_info_list=”.vc_custom_1602664985958{margin-top: 2em !important;margin-bottom: 2em !important;}”][info_list_item list_title=”How can consumers identify if an online pharmacy is a registered and authorised online pharmacy?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Zhi Shan: Currently there is no legal authorisation from the government for an online pharmacy nor do the pharmacy require any registration to establish an online presence. The only way to identify whether an online pharmacy is legit or not is via the branding of the pharmacy itself. If it is a well-known brand of a chain pharmacy in Malaysia, or an independently owned local pharmacy that you used to frequent all this while, then perhaps that is the safest option.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Is it safe to order medicines or health supplements through online pharmacies?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Zhi Shan: Yes. All pharmacies in Malaysia are aware of their responsibilities and ethics to sell only products which are registered with the Ministry of Health. Only supplements and over-the-counter medications can be bought from online pharmacies.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”What should we be aware of when purchasing medicines and supplements from an online pharmacy?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Zhi Shan: Apart from ensuring the products bought are registered with MOH, consumers should also check what kind of delivery services are being provided. Some pharmacies provide same day delivery while some rely on conventional courier agents that may take days to deliver the products to your home. There’s a high possibility that the quality of the product may be compromised throughout the delivery process. For example, the package being exposed to high heat or not kept at recommended storage conditions while transiting in between delivery locations.[/info_list_item][/info_list][vc_custom_heading text=”“The only way to identify whether an online pharmacy is legit or not is via the branding of the pharmacy itself.“” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][vc_empty_space height=”2em”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10010″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602667248327{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”“Buying medicines through social media or international websites is an unsafe practice and should be avoided.“” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp”][info_list_item list_title=”Can you buy medicines that require prescription from online pharmacies?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]
Zhi Shan: Medicines that require prescriptions cannot be bought through online pharmacies
[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Apart from online pharmacies, what are your thoughts on people purchasing medicines through social media or international websites?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Zhi Shan: Buying medicines through social media or international websites is an unsafe practice and should be avoided. Unlike an online pharmacy with a physical store presence, it is very difficult for you to file a complaint or take legal action whenever a purchase goes awry. The consumer may receive subpar products or even worse, fake products when buying through social media or international websites.
Apart from health safety, buying medicines or supplements from international websites which ship their products directly from overseas into Malaysia are also illegal as it is very likely that the products are not registered under MOH, and the Pharmacy Enforcement Division under the Ministry of Health can take necessary action towards these people.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Lastly, could you share with us an advice or two on purchasing health products online?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Zhi Shan: Here’s a guide to help you identify if the product you’re about to purchase online is registered under the Ministry of Health:
#1
All pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) before being marketed in Malaysia.
#2
Products registered with MOH has two main features which are:
- Registration number (starts with MAL, followed by eight digits and ends with the letter A, H, N, T, or X).
- Hologram sticker
#3
To ensure that the products are safe to consume, customers can check the registration status under the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) website www.npra.gov.my/index.php/en/.
#4
On the website, click on the ‘Product Search’ under the ‘Consumer’ icon.
#5
Registered products can be searched by using:
- Name of the product
- Registration number
- Registration Holder Name
- Active Ingredient
- Manufacturer/ Importer name
#6
Another option is, consumers can download the NPRA Product Status from Google Play Store to check the status of a product.
#7
If you’re finding it difficult to search through the website or if you’re unable to download the NPRA Product Status, you can contact NPRA at 03-78835400 and they should be able to help you out.[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/ultimate_carousel][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1594189719583{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_text_separator title=”READ MORE” title_align=”separator_align_left” align=”align_right” color=”custom” border_width=”9″ accent_color=”#dd3333″ el_class=”read”][bs-grid-listing-1 columns=”3″ show_excerpt=”1″ title=”” icon=”” hide_title=”0″ heading_color=”” heading_style=”default” category=”14,29,13″ tag=”” count=”3″ post_ids=”” offset=”” featured_image=”0″ ignore_sticky_posts=”1″ author_ids=”” disable_duplicate=”0″ time_filter=”” order=”DESC” order_by=”date” _name_1=”” post_type=”” taxonomy=”” _name_2=”” cats-tags-condition=”and” cats-condition=”in” tags-condition=”in” tabs=”” tabs_cat_filter=”” tabs_tax_filter=”” tabs_content_type=”deferred” paginate=”none” pagination-show-label=”0″ pagination-slides-count=”3″ slider-animation-speed=”750″ slider-autoplay=”1″ slider-speed=”3000″ slider-control-dots=”off” slider-control-next-prev=”style-1″ ad-active=”0″ ad-after_each=”” ad-type=”” ad-banner=”none” ad-campaign=”none” ad-count=”” ad-columns=”1″ ad-orderby=”date” ad-order=”ASC” ad-align=”left” bs-show-desktop=”1″ bs-show-tablet=”1″ bs-show-phone=”1″ custom-css-class=”” custom-id=”” override-listing-settings=”0″ listing-settings=”” bs-text-color-scheme=”” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1594697216061{margin-bottom: -10% !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”5.0″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:right|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Out of” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594696759538{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”5 Stars” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594697016740{margin-top: -6px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1594780415864{margin-bottom: -10% !important;margin-left: -4% !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_custom_heading text=”5.0″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:45|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594784592259{margin-bottom: -1% !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Out of
5 Stars
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