Fake self-test kits or the wrong use of these kits would produce inaccurate results such as false negatives, which would not help in combating the pandemic, says the Malaysian Pharmacists Society.
The association says the public is advised to only buy the test kits from registered pharmacists or private healthcare facilities.
“It is important that Covid-19 self-test kits are sold in licensed pharmacies and private healthcare facilities so (that) the government can closely monitor them as any complaints about these kits can be reported to the Medical Device Authority (MDA) under the Health Ministry,” the association told local media.
The medical devices must comply with gold standards in terms of functionality and safety hence only registered pharmacists selling these kits would be able to educate the public on how to use them properly and help consumers report their results through the MySejahtera application.
On the other hand, the association also called for strict and effective enforcement by the Medical Device Authority and The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to ensure that these safeguards are implemented throughout the country.
The authorities must also check on the import of test kits from all over the world, some of which may be fake or even recycled test kits.
