Precautions in Place to Ensure Safety of Imported Cough Syrups

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Health what precautions are in place to ensure that imported cough syrups made available for sale in Singapore are safe for consumption and do not contain unacceptable contaminants.

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) approves cough syrups for sale only after they have been assessed to have met the stipulated international standards of quality, safety and efficacy. HSA assesses the clinical studies data and manufacturing and quality control processes. HSA also conducts checks to ensure that the manufacturers conform to international Good Manufacturing Practice standards. HSA requires manufacturers to test all batches of cough syrups sold in Singapore, including for levels of contaminants.

HSA regularly inspects local companies that are licensed to manufacture, import or distribute medicines. HSA also conducts post-market surveillance, which includes risk-based product testing, and actions will be taken to stop the sale and supply or to recall cough syrups that may pose harm to patients. Anyone who supplies cough syrups that do not conform to quality and safety standards is liable to prosecution and, if convicted, may be imprisoned for up to two years or fined up to $50,000, or both.