Lukanisman: Govt to review Act related to online sale of health, medical devices

KUCHING: The government is likely to examine and will review the Act related to the sale of health or medical devices operated through online business platforms, said Deputy Health Minister Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni.

He admitted that the selling of medical or health devices on online sales platforms is a big issue.

“It is not fair if the regulatory department through the MDA (Medical Device Authority) impose actions on sellers only while on the contrary it should also include platforms such as Tiktok or Shoppee or Lazada and so on.

“These people should be responsible as some have suggested that this business platform has a mechanism - withdrawing all shipments regarding medical devices that are not approved by MDA from their online sales,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Lukanisman, however, said that to examine the proposal, it would involve a slight adjustment to the existing Act while it needed to involve Members of Parliament where the issue or proposal should be raised or voiced so that it could be amended.

“For our role, we will study the views because this matter has been asked many times during our engagement session,” he said.

He explained that MDA plays a role in the matter because it is the regulatory agency for medical devices, the medical device industry and its activities.

Besides that, he added, it enforces the medical device law of the Medical Devices Act 2012 (Act 737), and for matters related to it.

“Our ministry will regulate this industry for the good of public safety and health through medical or health devices,” he stressed.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating at the ‘Engagement Session With Sarawak Medical Device Industry Players 2024’, supported by the state’s Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred) at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.

Regarding the engagement session, Lukanisman said it was an important partnership in MDA’s efforts to help the medical device industry in Sarawak.

He said in the engagement session, MDA’s role in helping the medical device industry as a whole, especially in Sarawak, was also emphasised.

“In addition, MDA also plays a role in signing agreements with Asean countries to facilitate the regulatory process of a country. My ministry also acts as advisors to industry players to promote the products they promote in the industry,” he said.

Also present was Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Malcom Mussen Lamoh.