Those who may have suffered adverse effects from consuming the recalled Australian pharmaceutical products have been urged to come forward.

In a press statement today, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association or Fomca said it was willing to assist those who may have suffered ill-effects to obtain the legal redress.

Fomca added that it would also discuss the matter with the President of the Australian Consumer Association o­n May 8 in Kuala Lumpur.

"We hope to get more clarity o­n the issue to further enable us to provide precise information to consumers and possible steps that should be taken to combat any repercussions from this whole episode."

The association also said it was alarming that Malaysian consumers have yet to be given enough information o­n how to refund any purchased items.

It added that although the public has been informed that they would be eligible for a refund or exchange for the recalled products, there is no clear guideline o­n how this is to be done.

"The Health Ministry must make it clear that the public can and should get compensation from where they bought the product and not be made to go back and forth all over the place ` to get what is rightly theirs," said Fomca.

Ministry unconcerned

The association felt that there appeared to be a lack of concern o­n the government's part regarding the possible repercussions that may arise from consuming the banned products.

It said the ministry should set up or at least facilitate an advisory board to address the issue.

"Why has there been nothing said o­n the potential side effects and the symptoms that consumers can attribute to the consumption of these vitamins and natural supplements. We should think that this should be a priority for the ministry."

"It is distressing that the ministry is not even concerned about consumer welfare, be it economic loss or the health of the consumer," it said.

Fomca also claimed that there was a "somewhat a lack of proper check and balance system" by the ministry considering that the decision to recall the drugs was o­nly made five months after initial investigations against the manufacturer.

It added the Australian-based Pan Pharmaceuticals Ltd had been under investigation since January this year and authorities here should have been more vigilant as well as kept the Malaysian public informed.

"In fact, the dissemination of information o­n the issue is sadly lacking and distressing," it lamented.

Random checks

The association also questioned the absence of random checks o­n the efficacy of the drugs sold in the country and claimed that the authorities seemed to accept the certificates which accompany the products without much inspection.

"It is not tolerable that consumers are being made victims of a situation that is not in their control. In this day and age where having accurate information is essential it is unacceptable for Malaysians authorities to not disseminate information to the public effectively."

"It must be kept in mind that the fundamentals of human life are being dealt with here and that the health and safety of the Malaysian public is at stake and this not something to be swept under the carpet," it said.

The Health Ministry o­n Wednesday ordered for more than 300 products to be taken of the shelve after the Australian authorities slapped a suspended the pharmaceutical giant's operations.

For further information o­n the issue, Fomca urged consumers to contact their legal adviser Indrani Thuraisingam at 03-78774741 or 013- 381 6851.