KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — The Medical Device Authority (MDA) has approved the first mpox test kit for the Malaysian market.
MDA chief executive Dr Muralitharan Paramasua, however, said the Viasure Monkeypox Virus Real-Time PCR Detection Kit can only be handled by authorised professionals.
He said selling or purchasing the kit in pharmacies, retail stores, or e-commerce platforms is prohibited and is an offence under the Medical Device Act 2012.
“If the mpox test kit is not handled by professionals, there is a possibility of inaccurate results and may cause the virus to spread among the public.
“The public is advised not to purchase or use any mpox test kit on their own,” he said in a statement today.
Dr Muralitharan urged anyone who sees the kit being sold to the public to report it to the authorities via the MDA feedback management system.
According to the Health Ministry (MOH), 33 suspected mpox cases have been reported to health facilities, with 32 testing negative and one awaiting lab results as of yesterday.
MOH also said 13 laboratories are equipped to conduct mpox detection tests — eight government labs and five private labs, two of which are capable of genetic sequencing to detect mpox variants.
— Bernama
