The Ministry of Health (MoH), through the Department of Pharmaceutical Services and Health Enforcement Unit, conducted a joint operation with the Royal Customs and Excise Department on August 23, 2023 involving a runner and a house in Tutong District that sold products under the control of the Department of Pharmaceutical Services.
Eighty-three types of products were seized, including medicinal products not registered with the Brunei Darussalam Medicines Control Authority, sex stimulant products, products whose sale was prohibited due to contamination with toxic substances and cosmetic products sold without MoH’s Notification Acknowledgement Letter.
The total value of the items seized was estimated at BND9,597.70. In addition, vape, cigarettes and BND22,257 in cash as well as other items were seized during the operation.
The raid was based off a public tip-off on the sale of sex stimulants on social media sites.
The ministry found three individuals – two local men and a female Indonesian national – to have violated offences under the Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007. The offenders were issued BND4,000 in compound fine.
The sale of unregistered medicine and cosmetic products is an offence under Chapter 10 of Medicines Order, 2007 and Regulations 5(1)(a) of Medicines (Cosmetic Products) Regulations 2007.
Individuals found guilty of violating the order can face a fine of up to BND5,000 or jailed for up to two years or both.
The MoH also advised the public to be vigilant when seeing health products with excessive promotion on social media sites and be sure to purchase medicine and cosmetic products that are approved by the authorities. – James Kon
