In Malaysia, counterfeit drugs are sold at unregulated stores such as provisions shops and roadside stalls at a significantly cheaper price. Consumers in Southeast Asia spend between US$520 million and US$2.6 billion on fake medicines annually. These counterfeit medicines could range from over-the-table products such as Panadol, viagra and weight loss medications, to drugs for chronic ailments such as anti-cancer drugs and cholesterol medications. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals such as weight-loss drugs and fertility drugs may contain little to no active ingredient. But what’s more dangerous are fake medicines that are mixed with hazardous ingredients such as steroids, allergy medications and painkillers - not only can they cause organ dysfunction, ingesting these fake drugs could potentially kill. Singapore-based start-up, ProfilePrint, has devised a scanner to identify counterfeit products such as face masks, tea leaves and beauty products. But as #UndercoverAsia discovers, technology alone may not be enough to stop counterfeiters. Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpI_XzSu89o Watch also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyZwc84Bw6A More about the series: CNA's flagship investigative series Undercover Asia shines a light on some of the darkest corners of our society, and digs deep into the most pressing social-economic and political issues of our time. For more, SUBSCRIBE to CNA INSIDER! https://cna.asia/insideryoutubesub Follow CNA INSIDER on: Instagram: https://ift.tt/2C3sZiR Facebook: https://ift.tt/2PPEuNA Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider
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