Health Ministry warns against unregistered HW Beauty product containing harmful steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs, urging public to check registration status.
PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has warned the public not to purchase or use an unregistered traditional medicine product called HW Beauty Date, Honey and Calamansi Powder.
The warning follows information from Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority about side effects linked to the product.
Laboratory analysis found the product contains the steroids Dexamethasone and Prednisolone, along with the anti-inflammatory drug Diclofenac.
“Steroids are controlled drugs that should only be used with a doctor’s prescription for specific treatments,” the ministry stated.
Using steroids without medical supervision can lead to serious complications like kidney damage, hormonal imbalance, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Selling unregistered products is an offence under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952.
First-time offenders face a fine of up to RM25,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.
Subsequent offences carry penalties of up to RM50,000, five years’ imprisonment, or both.
The ministry said enforcement actions against retailers, distributors and e-commerce platforms are ongoing.
These efforts aim to curb the distribution of illegal drugs in the market.
It also runs the Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah (TOBaTS) campaign to raise awareness about unregistered health products.
Retailers and platforms must ensure only products with a valid MAL registration number and Farmatag hologram are sold.
The public should check a product’s registration status on the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency website before buying.
People are urged to report suspicious sales via the Public Complaints Management System, the MOH hotline at 03-78413200, or the nearest pharmaceutical enforcement branch.
