HEALTH MINISTRY BANS POPULAR THAI INHALER after Microbial Contamination Recall

Malaysia has prohibited the sale and distribution of a popular Thai inhaler after authorities in Thailand issued an urgent recall over microbial contamination.

In a statement on 6 November, the Health Ministry said the “Hong Thai Formula 2” inhaler was not registered with Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

“The sale and possession of unregistered medicines is an offence under the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations,” the ministry noted.

The move follows Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalling the inhaler after it failed health quality tests.

The ministry added that “Hong Thai Formula 2” is being advertised and sold on multiple e-commerce platforms.

“We have lodged complaints with the respective platforms, requesting that the product listings be removed immediately,” it said.

Members of the public were also urged not to buy the inhaler and to stop using it immediately.

Thailand’s FDA said on 28 October that a batch of Hong Thai Herbal’s Formula 2 brand of herbal inhaler failed to meet the required standards in microbial contamination tests, specifically microbial counts, combined yeasts and mould counts, and the presence of the Clostridium Spp bacteria.

Hong Thai Herbal said it had recalled the affected batch with the production number of 000332, which was manufactured on Dec 9, 2024, and had an expiry of Dec 8, 2027.

There were 200,000 units in this batch, the manufacturer said, without specifying if the recall was limited to Thailand.

References: Malay Mail (6 November 2025); CNA (3 November 2025)