MOH Seizes Over RM400,000 In Illegal Retatrutide, Ozempic Products

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Health (MOH) has seized more than RM400,000 worth of illegally sold weight-loss and diabetes drugs, including the investigational drug Retatrutide and Ozempic, in a crackdown on unauthorised online sales between 2025 and September 2026.

Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the crackdown followed growing concerns over the supply and purchase of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists without proper clinical supervision or regulatory oversight.

“Twelve raids involving Retatrutide resulted in the seizure of 697 units worth RM341,000 during the period. Retatrutide is not yet included in our formulary.

“The MOH’s Pharmacy Enforcement Division also detected illegal sales of Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, leading to seven raids and the seizure of 62 units worth RM64,170,” he said during the question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH-Sekijang) on measures to curb the unregulated online sale of such medicines.

Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry would intensify monitoring and enforcement against illegal drug sales promoted through e-commerce platforms and social media.

“We will continue to monitor the misuse of e-commerce and online platforms more strictly because our ultimate priority is to safeguard the safety, efficacy and lives of the people," he said.

Responding to the original question on funding for GLP-1 treatments under Budget 2026, the minister said no specific allocation had been set aside for medicines such as Ozempic and tirzepatide, marketed under the brand name Mounjaro.

However, he said patients requiring these treatments could apply through the ministry's Special Approval Medicines Unit, using existing allocations.

Dr Dzulkefly said 240 treatment applications were approved between January and September 2026, involving a total expenditure of RM2.56 million, and the MOH would continue seeking dedicated funding for GLP-1 drug procurement in future budgets.

Meanwhile, Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry was also finalising draft regulations for a mandatory Nutri-Grade system to classify beverages according to their total sugar content.

The proposed regulations, to be introduced through amendments to the Food Regulations 1985, are expected to be submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers this month.

He said the initiative aimed to help consumers make healthier food and beverage choices.

-- BERNAMA