It is probably safe to say that anything you have to consume for medical purposes should not be bought online as they are not authorized by a doctor. After all, taking pills without doctor’s supervision or prescription can lead to fatal results, or worse, death.
This was proven true because five women in Malaysia have reportedly died after consuming abortion pills that they bought online through social media or shopping websites.
Source: Her
According to Malay Mail, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that four of the deaths were reported in 2015 while the fifth was reported in 2017.
“Four deaths were due to heavy bleeding after giving birth, while one other case was caused by amniotic fluid embolism. All of the cases involved the intravaginal insertion of products containing misoprostol,” he said, adding that there were another three similar cases that have been classified as life-threatening to the victims.
Dzulkefly said that the health ministry had discovered 146 websites that sold abortion pills last year.
Source: Malay Mail
“To avoid from being tracked by the Pharmacy Enforcement Division, the modus operandi used by the syndicates of the misoprostol pills would use internet media such as Blogspot and social media, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Online platforms were also included,” he said.
So far, 10 raids have been conducted since 2017 where 17 items worth RM85,523 were seized and believed to be smuggled in mostly from China and India.
Source: Iona Institute
It was also reported by Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah that 18 websites selling cytotec were recorded from early this year (2019) until April 15, and are currently under investigation.
Most of them were found on Facebook and Blogspot, which have been reported to relevant agencies such as the Communication and Multimedia Commission Malaysia to have the sites blocked.
In 2017, the government had blocked 20 social media site for selling abortion pills.
Remember to warn your friends to avoid buying any medicine online without a doctor’s prescription! What do you think about this issue that is happening in Malaysia? Let us know in the comments below.
Also read: Heartbroken M’sian Girl Consumes 10 Pills to Abort Baby After Fiance Dumps Her
