Kota Kinabalu: A 38-year-old shop owner was fined RM3,000 or 30 days’ jail by the Sessions Court here for having unregistered pharmaceutical products.
Kok Shin Yi pleaded guilty before Judge Marlina Ibrahim to having in her possession four types of unregistered products at Make Up By Shinyi premises, in Taman Sri Kepayan on April 4, 2024, at 11am.
The charge stated that the items included Semaglutide injections and related substances, as well as a lidocaine-based cream.
Kok had contravened Regulation 7(1)(a) of the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984, which is an offence under Regulation 30(1) of the same Regulations and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Sale of Drugs Act 1952 that carries a fine of up to RM25,000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both for a first offence, on conviction.
The prosecution submitted that the products were confirmed by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Division as unregistered and had not been assessed for safety, quality or effectiveness.
It added that Semaglutide is a prescription medication that should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
The court heard that Kok was not a healthcare professional and that handling such products without proper knowledge could pose risks, including incorrect dosage and potential health complications.
The value of the seized items was estimated at RM6,200, said Pharmaceutical Prosecuting Officer Siti Nadiah Binti Mohd Nawi.
The prosecution stressed the need for a deterrent sentence in the interest of public safety, given the risks posed by the use of unregistered pharmaceutical products.
In mitigation, Kok appealed for a lenient sentence, citing her family responsibilities, including caring for her children and parents.
