Health Alert! Malaria tests are out of the market – FDA announcement

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has called on the general public to be vigilant about a rapid diagnostic test kit (RDT) against expired malaria.

The FDA investigated a complaint and established that some people have tampered with the product information on the expired kit.

A statement from Ms. Delese AA Darko, Chief Executive Officer, FDA, stated that while the kit, SD Bio Line Malaria Test Kit, was registered by the FDA, the investigation revealed that the following information were used to re-label the expired product: Lot No: 05CDC017A; Mfg. Date: 2018-03-09; Exp. Date: 2020-03-08; Code: B303D.

He stated that given the recent experience of malaria parasite resistance to treatment, the current policy on malaria treatment in the country requires that every suspected case of malaria be tested before treatment.

"It is a dangerous situation to have a malaria test with the help of an expired TDR kit, which would certainly produce a wrong result and could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, "says the report

. take note of the above and should not use such kits, if they have them in their possession.

He says health professionals are advised to notify the FDA of any product expired in their facilities for safe disposal. the FDA would like the general public to know that, it is taking steps to recover the said product from the market and is also working with the security agencies to ensure the arrest of the guilty parties.

Member of the public reach the FDA by the following means; direct lines: 0299802932 or 0299802933; short code: 4015 (free on all networks except GLO); WhatsApp: 0206973065; twitter: @fdaghana; and Facebook: Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana