IPOH, MALAYSIA: When it comes to raiding peddlers of counterfeit pharmaceutical products, Health Department enforcement officers have come to expect a sizeable amount of sex stimulants on sale.

"This has been true for the past four to five years.

"Female customers usually buy imitation cosmetic products, but the male customers usually go for sex stimulants," said Noordin Osman, the principal assistant director of the department's pharmaceutical enforcement division.

Based on tip-offs, enforcement officers seized some RM55,000 worth of unregistered pharmaceutical products in 14 separate raids during the first five months of the year.

Of these, sex stimulants comprised 30 to 40 per cent of the total seized items, said Noordin.

In the latest raid conducted on May 5, there were RM6,200 worth of sex stimulants seized from two peddlers in Jalan Horley.

These products were smuggled in from neighbouring countries and sold in markets and shops which deal in traditional medicine, said Noordin.

The two peddlers will be charged with possessing with the intention of selling drugs listed under the Poisons Act 1952 and drugs which were not registered by the Drug Control Authority.

Despite routine checks and regular raids, the peddlers invariably return to their illegal business, said Noordin, adding that the department was conducting checks at the country's entry points and was working towards arresting the main suppliers.

He said the dangers of using such drugs did not deter the public from purchasing them, as the products were cheaper and did not require a prescription from the doctor.

For example, a Viagra tablet costs RM40 each but the imitation brand was sold at RM20 for a box of four pills, while imitation Cialis tablets were sold at RM20 a box, half the price of the original tablets.

The Health Department has distributed hologram decoders at 50 selected pharmacies throughout Perak, with more pharmacies to be similarly equipped in the future.

Those who have doubts on the use of drugs and those with information on the sale of illegal drugs should contact the state pharmaceutical enforcement division at 05-2555994.