Expired Malaria Test Kit On The Market

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has warned the public over an expired malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit being offered for sale on the Ghanaian market.

The kit is said to have been registered by the FDA as SD Bio Line Malaria Test Kit, however, investigations upon a complaint by the authority revealed that the product information on the product has been tampered with.

The information used for the relabelling of the product includes Lot No.: 05CD017A, Mfg. Date: 2018-03-09, Exp. Date: 2020-03-08 and Code: A303D.

According to a press release signed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FDA Delese Darko, the current policy on treatment of malaria in Ghana requires that every suspected case of malaria is tested before treatment due to the recent experience with resistance of the malaria parasite to treatment.

“It is, therefore, a dangerous situation to have a test for malaria using expired RDT kit, which would certainly produce a false result and may lead to inaccurate diagnosis,” the statement said.

The FDA, therefore, urged all healthcare professionals and facilities to take note of the product information of the expired kit and should not use such kits if they have them in their possession.

According to the statement, the FDA is taking steps to retrieve the said product from the market and also working with the security agencies to ensure the arrest of the culprits.

Expired Lavet Feminine Hygiene
In a related development, the FDA is recalling expired Lavet Feminine Hygiene Wash manufactured by Yamok Industries and Company Ghana Limited.

Giving reasons for the recall, the FDA said the products which have expired are being defaced and relabelled with the following new information. Lot No. 1 NLAV 820/370-400. MGF. Date: February 2016, Exp. Date: January 2020, for sale.

According to the FDA, “Further investigations indicate that the relabelled products have been clandestinely distributed to pharmacies, over the counter medicine (OTCM) shops, herbal shops and cosmetic shops.”

“Customers are also being cautioned not to patronise this relabelled product as the FDA cannot assure its safety or protect them from any potential health hazards it may cause,” a press statement from the FDA said.

By Abigail Owiredu-Boateng