HEALTH INSTITUTION AS A CONSUMER PROTECTION FRAMEWORK IN MALAYSIA (Published)
Consumer protection is becoming a world agenda in this era of globalisation and trade liberalisation. Globalisation and trade liberalisation promotes free trade activities in every part of the world. Consumer as a party to the trading activity contributes significantly to this activity and becomes a major contributor to the economy through this activity. However, consumer needs to be protected so that trading activities will benefit both the consumer and the economy. Health is becoming one of the major issues faced by the consumer in Malaysia. Globalisation and trade liberalisation resulted in free entry of pharmaceutical products from abroad without restriction. This phenomenon will bring a negative effect on consumer in Malaysia if the products are counterfeit. Thus, consumer needs to be protected in facing globalisation and trade liberalisation. Based on doctrinal research and by applying content analysis method, this paper will review the protection conferred by the Health Institution in protecting the consumer in Malaysia. The Malaysian Ministry of Health will be reviewed to examine their role in upholding consumer protection with regards to pharmaceutical counterfeit in Malaysia.
Keywords: Consumer Protection, Health Institution, Ministry Of Health, Pharmaceutical Counterfeit