Korea MFDS Introduces New Self-Testing IVD Categories for Influenza and Drugs of Abuse
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) amended the Regulation on IVD Medical Device Items and Item Classification ( Notification No. 2026-45 ) on June 30, 2026, establishing two new categories of self-testing in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs) for influenza and drugs of abuse. The amendment expands public access to self-testing IVDs by broadening the scope beyond the existing nine self-testing IVD categories, including those for pregnancy, blood glucose, and COVID-19. The newly introduced influenza self-test kit is expected to enable rapid identification of infected individuals during the early stages of infection, helping to reduce disease transmission. In addition, the drugs of abuse self-test kit will allow individuals to quickly determine whether they have been unintentionally exposed to illicit drugs, supporting timely and appropriate responses. The newly established self-testing IVD categories are as follows. • K05070.01 IVD reagents for self testing of I...