Prescription needed: Confiscated contact lenses on display during a press conference at the MDA office in Cyberjaya. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Medical Device Authority (MDA) has banned the online sale of optical devices and contact lenses on e-commerce platforms to protect the health and safety of users’ vision, says its chief executive Dr P. Muralitharan.
He said optical devices and contact lenses are regulated under the Medical Devices Act 2012 (Act 737) and must meet all registration requirements under the same law before they can be imported and marketed.
He explained that optical devices and contact lenses fall under the category of medical devices that require a prescription.
Dr Muralitharan added that the prescription must be prepared and dispensed by a registered optician or optometrist as stated in Section 30 of the Optical Act 1991, which is enforced by the Malaysian Optical Council.
“In support of the implementation of the ban, the MDA will not issue any approvals related to the advertisement and sale of optical devices and contact lenses online,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
Dr Muralitharan warned that individuals found to be carrying out such activities without MDA approval would be in violation of the Medical Device (Advertising) Regulations 2019, Regulation 2(1).
He said they could be fined up to RM200,000 or imprisoned for up to two years or both.
He also emphasised that as the authority responsible for the regulation of medical devices in Malaysia, the MDA would take strict action against any party that violates the regulations.
He said this included taking legal action against platform providers who continue to sell optical devices and contact lenses illegally.
The MDA urged public cooperation to report online sales of optical devices or contact lenses through the MDA Feedback Management System (FEMES) at https://femes.mda.gov.my/ or by emailing mdb@mda.gov.my.
