LETTERS: I read with interest the statement by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that Covid-19 self-test kits will be made available at supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations.
This may seem to be a practical move by the government to provide convenience to consumers by making these self-test kits easily available.
While I understand that the low price and easy access would benefit consumers, we cannot afford to take this matter lightly without considering the negative repercussions.
During this Covid-19 pandemic, the availability of self-test kits should, of course, be welcomed.
However, we cannot simply opt for convenience at the expense of safety or quality.
What I mean by this is presently, self-test kits are made available at pharmacies, which are available in every township, suburb and residential area.
When we buy self-test kits from pharmacies, we can be assured that these self-test kits are approved and certified by the Medical Device Authority (MDA) and the Health Ministry.
But when you open up to other outlets, there will be counterfeits or kits that are not approved by the authorities.
When the pandemic broke out last year, the demand for face masks shot up drastically. Everyone was selling them.
Some of these face masks did not meet the medical standard and did not fulfil their purpose of protection against the virus.
There were even reports of cases where face masks were produced by using recycled face masks.
By analogy, if self-test kits are made available easily at multiple outlets, counterfeit or unapproved kits may also arise.
Even now we hear cases of self-test kits sold online that give inaccurate results.
As long as Covid-19 exists, this may lead to the possibility of a black market with no quality control.
We know how creative and how resourceful Malaysians can be and we do not want something as important as these self-test kit to be the subject matter of scams, putting people at risk with a false sense of security.
As a father of two, I am more confident if I were to buy the kits from a pharmacist or a proper healthcare provider, knowing that the self-test kits would have been verified and approved by MDA and the Health Ministry.
Covid-19 self-test kits are now available at pharmacies. I believe this should be maintained.
Recently, I read that the United Kingdom and India had made self-test kits available only at pharmacies and certified bodies.
The government needs to set its priorities right. Prioritise the safety of the people.
I also wonder why the announcement to expand the sale of self-test kits to supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations was made by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and not the Health Ministry.
Shouldn't healthcare issues be under the Health Ministry?
This is especially when Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had announced last month that pharmacies were the best place to buy Covid-19 self-test kits.
This sort of contradiction between the two ministries shows a lack of communication and understanding between them that may create problems, putting the public at risk.
ADAM MALEK
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times