FDA Warns of Used and Unauthorized Test Strips Sold on Amazon, eBay and Craigslist



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The Food and Drug Administration warns the public
against the use of medical strips not authorized for sale in the United States.
Some vendors have begun offering medical test strips in online markets such as Amazon, eBay and Craigslist. While many of these products claim to have the same effectiveness as those available in pharmacies and other pharmacies, they do not necessarily have the same guarantee of safe use.
Test strips used or not allowed
In fact, the FDA even discourages consumers from using test strips sold by unauthorized vendors because they may not have been properly tested for safety.
This could lead to inaccurate home test results, which is dangerous for people with serious health problems
such as blood clots and diabetes.
The federal agency has also warned patients and health care providers about the use of used test strips as they could potentially cause infections.
Tim Stenzel, representative of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, explained that the FDA is aware that some consumers choose to buy used or unauthorized test strips to save money. However, they may also be at risk of serious injury or death.
"Today's warning is part of our ongoing commitment to public health to communicate when we become aware of issues related to the use or misuse of medical devices." said Stenzel.
.
"By alerting the public and helping them to recognize the illegal sale of these products, we hope to avoid unnecessary harm to those who rely on the tests."
Home use tests
Millions of people in the United States depend on
on the house use medical tests to closely monitor their health conditions.
Diabetic patients use test strips to check their blood if their blood sugar is still within normal limits. Meanwhile, people who are taking warfarin treatment rely on such home use tests to measure their international standardized ratio.
The FDA has kept
an eye on used test strips and those offered by unauthorized sellers, many of which are currently available online.
No cases of serious injury or death related to the use of these products have been reported. However, the agency has already taken steps to warn consumers of the risk that unauthorized or unauthorized home use tests could cause serious injury.
The FDA has stated that test strips purchased online may be out-of-date or improperly stored, making them unsafe for patients. They may not produce an accurate test result, which is crucial for people with the disease to receive the correct dosage for their treatment.
Some home-use test strips may be contaminated with the blood of the previous owner, which increases the risk of infection for the next user.
To find out whether household test strips are original or not allowed, consumers are advised to check whether the packaging has been modified or already opened. They should also look for the expiration dates on the box.
If a person is able to buy test strips only on prescription, even without a prescription, it is highly likely that the sale of the product is not allowed in the United States. FDA
said that such medical test strips should not be used.
Consumers should only buy test strips from reliable sources, such as pharmacies or the product manufacturers themselves.
Patients should consult their pharmacist or their local health care provider if they are unsure if the home use test that they have purchased is unsafe or they are not safe. can not afford to buy products that are not used.

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