Counterfeit Diabetes Testing Supplies Prompt Nationwide Alert
The FDA has issued a warning concerning counterfeit blood glucose test strips for LifeScan's One Touch Brand Blood Glucose Monitors.
The test strips in question are One Touch Basic/Profile and One Touch Ultra brand. The counterfeit strips are being sold in the U.S. and were distributed to pharmacies and stores through the country, but according to the FDA, the largest concentrations of strips have been found in Ohio, New York, Florida, Maryland and Missouri.
The counterfeit strips show incorrect blood glucose results when used, which is extremely dangerous. A person using a faulty strip could accidently take too much or too little insulin based on the readings of these strips, which could lead to serious injury or even death.
The FDA has published a list of identifying features about the counterfeit strips:
Counterfeit One Touch Basic/Profile Test Strips
- Lot Numbers 272894A, 2619932 or 2606340
- Multiple Languages- English, Greek and Portuguese text on the outer carton
- Limited to 50-Count One Touch (Basic/Profile) Test Strip packages
Counterfeit One Touch Ultra Test Strips
- Lot Number 2691191
- Multiple Languages- English and French text on the outer carton
- Limited to 50-Count One Touch Ultra Test Strip packages
Anyone who has purchased and/or used these test strips is asked to call LifeScan at 866 621-4855. LifeScan and the FDA also ask that a report be filed with FDA's MedWatch Program or calling 800 FDA-1088.
Comments
I am appalled that a supplier would even consider purchasing and distributing other than LifeScan-produced test strips for use with LifeScan meters. Given the lack of FDA approval (Health Canada, in my case), an offence like this warrants a charge of criminal negligence and would certainly be chargeable as such in Canada. The distributor responsible should have whatever licence it holds to deal in pharmaceuticals and other healthcare products PERMANENTLY revoked. Given the potentially disastrous or even lethal consequences of this money-grubbing, unethical and immoral conduct; the owner of the company, and its officers, should all be personally charged, convicted and incarcerated for this outrage, regardless of what proceedings are initiated against the company.
I agree, yesterday, August19, 2007 while cleaning my house I had the Tv news on, either CNN or Headline News in mid morning. The reporter stated that Johnson & Johnson was reporting bad readings from either the monitors or strips that were made in China. They new for over a year. They also mentioned other companies having their diabetes products produced in China. What is really scary about China and our so called FDA, last week when it was all over the news about the mattel toys and lead paint, they had an asian reporter in China stating the companies the U.S. is investigating in China, the actual buildings they are visiting, are cover up buildings. This reporter stated they toys are being made in other buildings about ten miles away. It is really sad too see how this country would sell their own childrens health and everyone health for a profit. In the long run does it really pay to import items if know one is really watching. We should do what China does to any who violates such laws, put them in prison.