The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) urges consumers to take precautions in buying medications, especially when buying online.

Fomca deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman said in a time where access to medications is easy, it is important for consumers to purchase their drugs from licensed pharmacies or through medical practitioner.

"Consumers must refrain from buying on the Internet as the source or status of the seller is unknown. This also includes buying from sidewalks or night markets.

"Most consumers who buys from these sources don’t even know the side effects of taking them. Understanding how medications affect your lifestyle is important," he told a press conference on World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2016, here today.

WCRD is an annual event that is celebrated worldwide on March 15, whose objectives among others is to raise global awareness about consumer issues.

Mohd Yusof said consumers must also take initiatives to know the correct way of taking drugs so that they can understand the link between medication dosages and their health.

"Take antibiotics for example, consumers must know when to actually take their antibiotic medications because routine use of it can pose health risks to everyone," he added.

Meanwhile, he said Fomca will be doing a nationwide campaign called "Know your medicines" starting today until Sept this year.

He said the campaign would teach consumers how to know the correct way taking medications, side effects, when to take antibiotics and the sources of medication.