Coronavirus: Randox recalls up to 750,000 test kits over safety concerns
Packs have been sent out to care homes and individuals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hundreds of thousands of unused coronavirus testing kits are being recalled by the government due to safety concerns.
The packs have been sent out by healthcare giant Randox to care homes and individuals throughout the pandemic.
But on Saturday morning the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency asked the company to recall up to 750,000 of the kits after safety issues emerged.
Exactly what those issues are has not been revealed but it is understood the Department for Health and Social Care has asked for the sterility of some swabs to be independently verified.
A spokesperson said the risk was low and the recall was a “precautionary measure”.
They said: “We have high safety standards for all coronavirus tests. Following the pausing of Randox kits on 15 July, Randox have now recalled all test kits as a precautionary measure.”
The pause in mid-July was announced by health secretary Matt Hancock who said at the time that some of the kits were “not up to standard”.
The healthcare giant is based in Northern Ireland and claims to be responsible for up to 17 per cent of the total tests carried out in the UK. About 1.3 million of its tests have been sent out so far.
Around 200,000 coronavirus tests are now being provided across the UK each day.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments