PETALING JAYA: She made an online purchase of a blood pressure (BP) monitoring device but it ended up causing her more stress due to its false readings.
It all began when the hawker, identified only as Aunty Annie from Klang, went for a medical check-up late last year and found she had elevated BP.
The doctor advised Aunty Annie, 55, to self-monitor regularly.
“I went home, feeling worried. So when I saw a good offer online about a BP monitoring device, I decided to buy it. I was eager to use it to help me manage my condition.
“And I changed my diet as well to stay healthier,” she said in an interview.
But in the following months, the device kept showing alarmingly high readings of between 150 over 95 and 160 over 98, she said.
Aunty Annie said she became more anxious about her BP.
A random visit to a pharmacy for a free BP check led to her discovering that the device had been giving her inaccurate readings.
“The reading which was done by the pharmacist using a proper device showed that my BP was within the normal range of 123 over 81,” she said.
She said the pharmacist then explained to her about the risks of using uncertified devices that needed to be recalibrated often.
Malaysian Community Pharmacy Guild honorary secretary Rachel Gan advised people to be cautious when purchasing devices especially online.
“The demand for certain medical devices often leads to the emergence of cheaper, counterfeit alternatives. But the small savings from buying unverified products may not be worth the risk,” Gan said.
“Some sellers on e-commerce platforms may even display fake certification to attract buyers,” she added.
She said that buyers might end up getting unreliable readings from unregistered or counterfeit devices.
Gan said that people should consult a pharmacist before purchasing a particular device.
“Pharmacists provide proper guidance on how to use the device, interpret results, and offer after-sales services such as warranty, calibration and health management advice,” she said.
Gan noted that such support is usually not available from e-commerce sellers.
On recalibration of these devices, Gan recommended that consumers follow the manufacturer’s instructions which varies according to their brand.
“Generally, calibration is advised at least every two years, or preferably annually.
“Consumers should also check their device’s accuracy if they notice inconsistencies when comparing with another device,” she said.
