Statement by 
Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong 
on 5.6.2002
 in Kuala Lumpur

There is a need to restructure the department to register and monitor drugs in the Health Ministry, so as to increase its effectiveness

The so-called slimming pills in the world are either appetite suppressants or reducing the absorption of fat in the bowels. Hence, all people who wish to take them should see doctors.

Recently, one person died from liver failure after taking Chinese tablets Slim 10. The other received a liver transplant. Both were in Singapore. These make the Malaysian Health Ministry take action against the manufacturer of Bestrim that contains Fenfluramine.

Similarly, a few months ago, the British press reported that certain brands of oyster sauce contained harmful chemicals. Then, the ministry acted against the dealers of these brands of oyster sauce.

RESTRUCTURE

Fenfluramine or Fentermine is a banned substance. That similar substances are still sold openly shows the weakness in the monitoring mechanism. We have to improve this mechanism and ensure that no drug outlet sells drugs indiscriminately.

Fenfluramine causes over 20 types of side-effects such as headache, insomnia, hypotension, impotence, depression and schizophrenia-like illness. There is a basis for the ministry to act. But, why do so only following the slimming pill scare in Singapore? I suppose the Government can always say that it is taking action.

Each year, the ministry spends about RM500 million to ensure that patients in government hospitals get suitable quality and quantity of drugs. It also allocates about RM28 million to monitor drug industry to make certain that only safe and effective drugs of high quality are in the market.

What criteria does the ministry use to issue Good Manufacturing Practices certificate to the manufacturer of Bestrim. If the company did not give the full ingredients in 2000, why did the Drug Control Authority let it be registered?

Clearly, the Government must restructure the department that register and monitor all drugs in the country, so as to improve its effectiveness. Occasionally, the medical world only learns about an unknown side-effect of a drug and the authorities then take notice. But, we know the side-effects of Fenfluramine for many years.