| Azlan Othman |
IS BRUNEI Darussalam turning into a cradle of rumour mongers? As unfounded posts flooding the social media, government authorities are facing a hard task in dousing the wildfire of false news.
The latest to bear the brunt of the social media rumour mill is the Department of Pharmaceutical Services, which yesterday had to come up with a statement to quash a ‘report’ circulated on the Internet, which claimed that there are metal fragments inside Panadol (paracetamol) tablets available in Brunei Darussalam.
“After researching and identifying the original source of the message, the Department of Pharmaceutical Services would like to emphasise that reports about such (Panadol) tablets being sold in Brunei are not true at all,” the department said in a statement.
“The Department of Pharmaceutical Services would like to inform the public that under the Drug Order 2007, section 10 (1) no one may manufacture, sell, supply or import any medicinal product unless the drug product is registered.”
“The Department of Pharmaceutical Services is constantly monitoring the importation of drugs in addition to carrying out checks on certain business premises to ensure that drugs sold in this country are registered and safe for use,” the statement said.
Photo of a pill with metal fragments that was circulated in social media
The department urged the public not to heed to unverified reports circulated on the social media.
The department issues their official statement through the official print and electronic media.
It also reminded that the act of spreading false information to the public is an offence and may be prosecuted under the laws of Brunei Darussalam in accordance with Section 34 of the Public Order Act Chapter 148 (Public Order Act, Cap 148) which carries a jail term of up to a period of three years or a fine of $3,000, if convicted.
For any questions or further information, the public may contact the Division of Drug Administration in line 2393298 extension 225 or the Pharmacy Enforcement Section at telephone number 2393298 ext 208 or via email: pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn.