Health Ministry only buys non-alcoholic medicines - Dr Hilmi

All medicines issued through health ministry tenders must fulfill the condition they do not have alcohol content, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.

He said under this condition, 120 milligrammes/5 millilitre paracetamol syrups confirmed to contain alcohol would be withdrawn from the market even though it was safe for use.

"The ministry only buys medicines which do not contain alcohol. When the label on the box does not state the percentage of alcohol content, we have been instructed to take it off the market, but it is still safe for use," he said when commenting on the ministry's decision to withdraw the fever medication from the market yesterday for not fulfilling the conditions for labeling.

Dr Hilmi was speaking at the opening of the Wisma Mental Health Foundation (MHF), in conjunction with World Mental Health day here today.

Also present were MHF Board of Trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Abu Hassan Omar, and three MHF founder members and board members, Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Abdullah, Dr Benjamin Chan Teck Ming and Salleh Ibrahim.

Dr Hilmi said the ministry conducted frequent checks and took samples of medicines sold in the market, and any product which did not observe the stipulated conditions would be withdrawn or confiscated.

He also advised the public to always read the contents of the medicine on the packaging before making purchase.

Meanwhile, the deputy minister called on the public, especially families of mental patients to understand and be concerned over problems faced by mental patients.

"I hope the families of patients and society understand their illness and not neglect them. If you do, they will become more sick."

Dr Hilmi said according to a study conducted in 2006, 11.2 per cent of the population in the country suffered mental problems, adding that this figure was expected to increase every year.

On the MHF, Dr Hilmi said the training centre at the foundation organised various basic skill courses for mental patients such as cooking, sewing and baking to help them become independent.

In LABUAN, the state health department has reminded private pharmacies to stop selling the paracetamol 120mg/5ml syrup under the brand ROYCE as it contained alcohol.

Its director, Dr Ismail Ali said the pharmacies must abide by the ministry's newly-issued directive on the issue.

“All private pharmacies here must also adhere to the same standard requirements of health authorities and only dispense approved medicines,” he told Bernama today.