The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM) expresses grave concern over recent public statements and advocacy by the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) calling for the introduction of influenza self-test kits and the expansion of vaccination services into retail pharmacy settings.
While inter-professional collaboration is vital for patient care, these latest proposals risk blurring long-established boundaries between the practice of medicine and pharmacy, with potentially serious consequences for patient safety, regulatory integrity, and professional accountability.
Prescription Drugs Are Not Retail Goods
FPMPAM has received reports that oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a prescription-only antiviral, may be available for purchase without prescription in some outlets.
If verified, this would represent a serious breach of the Poisons Act 1952 and endanger the public through misuse, side effects, and antiviral resistance.
FPMPAM calls upon the Pharmaceutical Services Division (PSD) and the MDA to investigate these reports promptly and to take firm enforcement action against any outlets engaged in illegal sales.
FPMPAM also invites MPS to join in condemning such unlawful dispensing and to guide its members in strict compliance with the law.
Vaccination Is A Medical Act, Not A Retail Transaction
Vaccination requires clinical evaluation, recognition of contraindications, and readiness to manage Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) including anaphylaxis.
Retail settings are not equipped or licensed to handle medical emergencies.
Expanding vaccination into retail pharmacies therefore poses unacceptable risks to patients and undermines decades of established medical-safety standards.
FPMPAM reminds all parties that diagnosis, prescribing, and vaccination are defined as medical acts under the Medical Act 1971 and the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 (Act 586).
Accountability And Enforcement
Members of the public who experience harm from unapproved self-tests, unsupervised antiviral use, or vaccinations at unqualified premises should seek immediate medical attention, and, where appropriate, legal recourse.
Unapproved Influenza Self-Test Kits
To date, no influenza self-test kits have been approved by the Malaysian Medical Device Authority (MDA).
The marketing or promotion of unapproved diagnostic devices is irresponsible and potentially unlawful.
False-negative results can delay lifesaving treatment and increase infection spread, while false-positive results may cause panic and inappropriate use of medicines.
FPMPAM urges MDA to issue a public clarification on the approval status of such kits and to enforce existing regulations.
FPMPAM calls on the Ministry of Health (MOH) to:
- Enforce laws under the Poisons Act 1952 and Act 586 to prevent unregulated sale of medical devices and prescription medicines.
- Direct the MDA and PSD to publish a public advisory confirming that no influenza self-test kits are currently approved in Malaysia.
- Reaffirm that only registered medical practitioners may diagnose, prescribe, and administer vaccinations within licensed health care facilities.
Our Message To The Public
There is no shortcut to safety. Your health and your life are not for sale at the counter.
If you are unwell, see your doctor. Only a registered medical practitioner can diagnose, treat, and protect you from complications.
Health care must never be commercialised at the expense of patient safety and public trust.
This statement was issued by Federation of Private Medical Practitioners’ Associations, Malaysia (FPMPAM).
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
