Why was EC website advertising pharmacy drugs?

Nothing seems out of the ordinary if one were to open the Election Commission’s (EC) website at www.spr.gov.my.

But yesterday if you scrolled down further and you would find a set of advertisements selling pharmaceutical drugs at the bottom far right corner (image below).

As a commission that regulates and conducts elections, it has definitely no business in the sale of drugs, but that is obviously not the case.

This must have surprised one or two visitors to the website, even potential voters.

The links advertise drugs such as nevirapine, a drug used to treat HIV, prednisone which treats inflammatory diseases and some types of cancer, zovirax which is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, and zaditor as well as lumigan which are eye-drop brands.

There are also links for those interested to buy diamox, which is used to reduce altitude sickness, accutane which is used to treat severe acne and codeine, which treats pain.

Performance enhancers to boot

When one clicks on the link that sells nevirapine, he or she is brought to a supposed ‘Canadian pharmacy’. One of the “promotions” stated on the website is an “erection powerpack” which sells for “only $74.95”.

“10 pills Viagra, 10 pills cialis,” read the promotion. Viagra and cialis are used to treat erectile dysfunction.

It is however unclear whether the EC was hacked or the advertisements are legitimate.

An EC spokesperson said they are investigating the matter.

The spokesperson told Malaysiakini he is still awaiting answers from the commission’s information and communication’s technology (ICT) department.

The advertisements appear to have been removed from the website today.

-Mkini