Malaysia has banned the online sale of contact lenses and optical devices on e-commerce platforms.
According to the New Straits Times media organisation, Medical Device Authority (MDA) chief executive Dr Muralitharan Paramasua said the move was made to safeguard people’s vision and overall eye health.
The MDA said these products had to be dispensed by a registered optician or optometrist.
Dr Paramasua said that contact lenses and optical devices were classified as medical devices and regulated under the Medical Devices Act 2012, and had to meet all registration requirements before they could be imported or sold.
Additionally, these products required a prescription and must be dispensed by a registered optician or optometrist, as outlined in Section 30 of the Optical Act 1991, enforced by the Malaysian Optical Council.
He said the MDA would take strict action against sellers and platform providers that failed to comply with these regulations
To further support the ban, he said the advertising of contact lenses and optical devices online would also be prohibited.
He urged the public to report any instances of online sales of contact lenses or optical devices to the MDA via its website.
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