THE public must only purchase Covid-19 saliva self-test kits approved by the Medical Device Authority (MDA), the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said today. 
 
MMA president Professor Dr Subramaniam Muniandy warned that kits that are recycled or of compromised quality carry health risks.

“Unauthorised sellers have been advertising and selling self-test kits direct to consumers online on social media platforms,” he said in a statement. 
 
“Some of these sellers are even claiming their self-test kits have an accuracy of 99% without disclosing the brand of their product. 
 
“It is indeed worrying as the public can be easily duped into purchasing self-test kits that are fake or kits with compromised quality,” Subramaniam added.
 
Currently, only 12 Covid-19 saliva self-test kits have been approved by the MDA, he said. 
 
The list of approved self-test kits from authorised sellers is available on MDA’s website at www.portal.mda.gov.my.
 
Subramaniam also reminded that the Health Ministry had announced that only healthcare facilities and pharmacies are allowed to sell the kits. 
 
He agreed with the Malaysian Pharmacists Society that stricter regulation on the sale of Covid-19 self-test kits is needed.
 
MMA urged the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to work closely with MDA and the police to monitor the sale of the kits. 
 
“Investigate claims of unapproved or fake self-test kits in the market to safeguard and protect the health of consumers,” Subramaniam said.
 
Importers of approved Covid-19 self-test kits must also conform to the Good Distribution Practice for Medical Devices stated in the Medical Devices Act 2012, he added.
 
Subramanian also asked the public to strictly follow the instructions on Covid-19 saliva testing for accurate results. 
 
“It must also be ensured that the test kits are properly disposed of after use to prevent the spread of infection. 
 
“Once used, the kits become healthcare biological waste” he said. – August 24, 2021.