ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST SALE OR SUPPLY OF COUGH MIXTURES MISUSED FOR INTOXICATION

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1127
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 8 SEPTEMBER 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Ms Diana Pang Li Yen
MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC

Question No. 2662

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in each of the past five years (a) how many operations targeted the illegal sale or supply of cough mixtures misused for intoxication, including codeine or dihydrocodeine products; (b) how many prosecutions, composition fines and repeat offenders were recorded, and how many clinics, wholesalers or suppliers faced enforcement action; and (c) whether penalties for repeat offenders will be reviewed.

Answer

1        Between 2021 and 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) conducted over 700 operations targeting the illegal sales or supply of cough preparations, seizing more than 2.2 million mL of cough preparations containing codeine or dihydrocodeine with an estimated street value of approximately $620,000.

2        126 offenders were also caught for the illegal supply of cough preparations, of which 35 were repeated offenders. 46 offenders have thus far been prosecuted. There is also one case involving a registered medical practitioner for which court proceedings commenced in 2025. 

3        Under the Health Product Act 2007 (HPA), a person found to have supplied illegal health products may, upon conviction, be fined up to $50,000 or face imprisonment of up to two years, or both. Repeat offenders may face higher penalties.