Federal Minister for Health Greg Hunt has denied accusations that his office pressured TGA staff to review restrictions on the sale of self-testing medical devices to benefit a major Liberal donor.

In September, the TGA announced it was examining whether to ease the current prohibition on devices used for self-testing infectious diseases, genetic abnormalities and serious conditions such as cancer.

At the time, it said the review was needed because self-testing kits were readily available online, and patients may be better protected with products sold in Australia under the supervision of Australian regulators.

But there have been claims that the review was being pushed directly by Mr Hunt’s office in the wake of donations to the Liberal Party by the chairman of a start-up called Ellume, making DIY influenza testing kits.