Vit C at RM100 per jab

The intravenous Vitamin C fad began last year when beauty parlours started promoting it, saying it did wonders for the skin besides having anti-ageing properties.
Initially, beauticians sold the preparation to clients, who sought doctors for the injections.
But doctors who charged between RM20 and RM50 for an injection saw how lucrative the fad could be, and began obtaining stocks of the imported intravenous Vitamin C preparation.
Several medical practitioners when contacted said they were aware of the trend but declined to elaborate.
It is understood that clients include entertainers, senior executives, lawyers, teachers and company secretaries.
Malaysia Dermatology Association president Dr Gangaram Hemandas said claims attached to the Vitamin C injections were exaggerated.
"From a scientific point of view, there is no justification for its use as an intravenous infusion," he said, adding that the best way to deliver Vitamin C to the skin was applying it as a cream.
Dr Hemandas, the senior consultant and laser surgeon at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, said Vitamin C supplements were for people with low levels of the vitamin.
"As far as aesthetic purposes are concerned, Vitamin C does not reach the skin in significant amounts to be effective.
"I really don’t know who started the whole story with these baseless claims."
He said the association had written to the Health Ministry and the National Pharmaceutical Bureau on the issue.
"We are against this practice because the product is not registered, the intake has side-effects and consumers are being duped into believing claims which are baseless."
Malaysian Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery protem committee secretary Dr Ruban Satkuna Nathan said he had been asked for such injections by guest relation officers and entertainers.
"Many are willing to pay any amount."
He said the company holding the rights to the product in the region had not registered in Malaysia.
Health Ministry pharmaceutical services division deputy-director Dr Ahmad Mahmud said officers had stepped up investigations into the beauty parlour connection.
"We have conducted raids at some of their outlets as well as several clinics in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.
"The suppliers are smart as they keep the stock elsewhere and only provide them upon demand."
Dr Ahmad said the Ministry could take errant doctors to court under the Sale of Drugs Act 1952, where offenders can be fined a maximum of RM25,000 and jailed for a maximum of four years.
Some taken in by wonder jab claims
Entertainer Michelle (not her real name) was introduced to intravenous Vitamin C by colleagues.
They showed her a packet, saying it was good for the skin, cured acne, lightened the complexion and ensured baby-soft skin.
"I was really excited as any woman would naturally be and decided to go for the product," she said.
Michelle, 25, went to a beauty parlour in the city recommended by friends and was told that a doctor visited the centre several times a week to administer the injection.
In a period of a year she opted for the RM700 intravenous Vitamin C pack, graduating to the RM1,500 Vitamin C and Collagen pack (seven jabs) and eventually the RM1,700 (seven jabs) Vitamin C and placenta combination.
"I think my skin has become lighter and my acne problem is better," said Michelle. "But I am not sure if it is due to the injections."
She has, however, decided to stop after being told that the claims attached to intravenous Vitamin C were baseless.
She is also angry that the doctor who administered the injections did not tell her about the side effects.
"I will ask my colleagues to stop taking it."
A 43-year-old company secretary, who wanted to be known only as Anita, was introduced to the drug by her beautician four months ago and has spent RM5,000 to date.
She is angry with herself for believing the claims attached to the drug.
Legal adviser Liza Ibrahim, 30, is happy that she did not fall for the scam although she admits to being interested when friends told her about the "wonder" injection.
"I was curious and went to several beauty parlours in the Klang Valley to make enquiries and found at least five selling the product.
"One beautician said she could inject the drug while others told me that I should visit several doctors who provided the service."
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