The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) expresses serious concern over the increasing availability of non-registered and suspected counterfeit blood pressure monitors (BPMs) in both online and offline markets, including e-commerce platforms, particularly in settings where seller identity, licensing status, and product traceability may be unclear.
Blood pressure monitors are medical devices, and device registration and traceability are important safeguards for public safety. Pharmacists are particularly concerned that the use of inaccurate or non-validated devices may result in incorrect blood pressure readings, delayed clinical intervention, and risks to patient safety.
MPS notes reports from health care practitioners and patients indicating that non-registered or suspected counterfeit BPMs remain widely accessible. Based on a chain pharmacy’s internal screening work last year, 10,081 devices were checked for accuracy and 31 per cent were found to be not registered with the Medical Device Authority (MDA).
There have also been reports from clinical practice, that patients using suspected counterfeit blood pressure monitors subsequently presented with poorly controlled blood pressure, raising concern that inaccurate home readings may delay appropriate treatment escalation or follow-up.
These concerns underscore the need for stronger regulatory oversight, enforcement, and public awareness to ensure device accuracy, reliability, and traceability. The public is able to verify registered medical devices and licensed establishments through the Malaysia Medical Device Register.
In safeguarding public health, MPS supports the following measures:
- Immediate action against the sale of non-registered and suspected counterfeit BPMs across online marketplaces and open retail channels;
- Stronger enforcement against the supply of non-registered medical devices; and
- Consideration of tighter controls on the distribution of BPMs through authorised and traceable channels, where professional guidance, patient counselling, and product traceability can be better assured.
MPS urges the MDA and relevant authorities to take coordinated action to address this issue. Ensuring that only properly registered and reliable devices are available in the market is important to protecting patient outcomes and maintaining public trust in health care.
MPS remains committed to working collaboratively with regulators, health care providers, pharmacies, and industry partners to uphold professional standards and advance patient safety in Malaysia.
This statement was issued by Prof Amrahi Buang, president of the Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS).
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
