Muar: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue to work closely with the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) to combat the smuggling of health products in the country. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, emphasized the crucial role of AKPS in enforcement, advocacy, and public education to raise awareness about the dangers of health product smuggling.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, since its establishment last year, the AKPS has clarified its objectives, marked by its recent success in thwarting an attempt to smuggle nearly RM85,000 worth of unregistered medicines through the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad shared this information with reporters after a working visit to Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital (HPSF).
He further stated that the MOH will maintain collaboration with the AKPS team, along with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS), Immigration Department, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The enforcement efforts will primarily focus on regulations under the Sale of Drugs Act and the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984.
Last week, media outlets reported that the AKPS successfully foiled an attempt to smuggle over 60,000 units of medicines, spanning 30 unregistered types, at KLIA Terminal 1. An AKPS statement revealed that Customs officers' suspicions were aroused after scanning four suitcases belonging to a Bangladeshi man, leading to a detailed inspection.
Meanwhile, the MOH issued a separate statement indicating that Dzulkefly's visit to HPSF aimed to review the facility's preparedness in providing optimal health services to the community, irrespective of socio-economic background. HPSF serves as a type two hospital and acts as the Lead Cluster Hospital for North Johor, encompassing HPSF, Segamat Hospital, and Tangkak Hospital. It boasts a 575-bed capacity and nearly 18 specialist services, including General Medicine, General Surgery, Orthopaedic, Microbiology, Anaesthesiology, and Emergency and Trauma.