Sufficiency of Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act to Prohibit Advertisements with False Claims

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health whether the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act is sufficient to prohibit any advertisements and false claims relating to the treatment of medical conditions, especially with current fast-emerging digital media platforms.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Medicine (Advertisement and Sale) Act (MASA) prohibits any persons who are not licensees under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act (PHMCA) from advertising claims to treat any medical condition, so as to prevent any unnecessary inducement to members of the public to seek any unlicensed services. This prohibition applies across all forms of advertisements, including those on digital media platforms. MOH will investigate any contravening advertisements and take the appropriate enforcement actions against offenders under MASA.