Coordinating Enforcement Actions Against Illegal Cough Mixture Peddling and Measures to Prevent Recidivism

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) which agency leads enforcement at locations where illegal cough-mixture peddling is known to persist; (b) how do the Health Sciences Authority, Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau, Singapore Food Agency and other agencies coordinate their respective enforcement efforts; and (c) whether further measures are needed to prevent repeat offenders from resuming illegal peddling at the same locations after enforcement action.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) lead the enforcement efforts against the illegal supply of codeine preparations, through regular intelligence sharing and coordinated joint enforcement operations with the Singapore Police Force, particularly in locations where such activities are known to persist.

Over the years, HSA has also stepped up surveillance and enforcement operations in these locations to detect and deter illegal peddling activities. HSA will continue to take robust enforcement action against offenders, especially repeat offenders, to protect public health.

Under the Health Products Act 2007, a person found to have supplied illegal health products may, upon conviction, be fined up to $50,000 or face imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Repeat offenders may face higher penalties.