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How to Safely Buy Medicine OnlineShare

There’s no limit to the types of products you can purchase online. You can purchase prescription medicine over the Internet. Ordering your prescription online does provide some degree of ease because the medicine is delivered to your home. However, this convenience can come at a cost.

The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) in Malaysia mandates that all pharmaceutical products, including health supplements and traditional remedies, must be registered with the Drug Control Authority (DCA) before they can be sold locally. This requirement is part of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.1

Purchasing medicine online can expose unsuspecting consumers to various dangers and risks. It is challenging for consumers to verify the legitimacy of sellers and check the registration status of the medicine before buying.2 That’s why it’s important to learn how to protect yourself when purchasing medicine online.

  • Only purchase medicines online from credible sources.
    The best thing you can do to avoid getting counterfeit medicine is to ensure that you are not deceived by suspicious advertisement.2 You can check approved advertisements by the Ministry of Health’s Medicine Advertisement Board here.
  • Consider the medicine’s price.
    If the price of the medication is way below the price you would pay at most of the pharmacies, then this could be an indication that the medicine might be counterfeit.
  • Be an educated consumer. 
    Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about what your medicine should do, what it should look like, and its possible side effects. Another source for this information is the medicine’s manufacturer. If you’re experiencing any side effects, or the medicine is not working the way your healthcare providers described, it’s important to discuss these occurrences with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. It is also important to report any changes in the drug’s appearance, packaging, texture, or taste.  You can only purchase medicines that are classified as over the counter (OTC), traditional, or health supplements (with MAL numbers ending in X, T, or N). Medicines with MAL numbers ending in A are considered controlled and require a prescription.3 Verify the registration of the product through the Quest 3+ Product Search website.

    The best way to avoid purchasing counterfeit medicine is to be well informed and selective about where you purchase your medications. And if you think you’ve purchased a counterfeit medicine, you can create a report through the Ministry of Health’s Sistem Pengurusan Aduan Awam (SISPAA) portal.

    If you would like to obtain more information or the latest updates regarding medications, please visit the website www.pharmacy.gov.my.

    References:
    1. National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. Appendix 4: Health supplements. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.npra.gov.my/images/00NPRA/health-supplements/appendix4HS.pdf
    2. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Pharmaceutical Services Programme. Risk of purchasing medications on the internet. Retrieved from https://pharmacy.moh.gov.my/en/content/risk-purchasing-medications-internet.html
    3. Ministry of Health Malaysia. Pharmaceutical Services Programme. Tips on how to buy medicines online. Retrieved from https://pharmacy.moh.gov.my/en/content/tips-how-buy-medicines-online.html
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