Kuala lumpur: Individuals showing symptoms of influenza are advised to seek immediate medical attention at clinics or hospitals, as there is currently no policy permitting the use of self-testing kits for the disease, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He emphasized the importance of receiving proper examination and treatment from qualified medical professionals, noting that influenza test kits are not approved or sold for public use.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Dzulkefly urged the public not to purchase or use test kits, stating that they are unnecessary and that there is no self-testing policy in place. He made these remarks during an interaction with reporters after inaugurating the 2nd National Conference for Thalassemia Patients and Caregivers 2025.

Addressing claims regarding the illegal sale of influenza test kits, Dr Dzulkefly assured that he would investigate the matter and discuss it with relevant officials at the ministry. He stressed the importance of preventing the sale of fake or unapproved kits and committed to following up on this issue.

Yesterday, the Medical Devices Authority (MDA) issued an advisory urging healthcare professionals not to purchase influenza test kits from e-commerce platforms, even if the products appear legitimate or registered. The MDA highlighted that influenza test kits should only be obtained from licensed pharmacies or through the official online platforms of registered manufacturers to ensure compliance with current safety and regulatory standards.