The Department of Health (DH) today (July 30) drew public attention to the voluntary recall of certain lots of a blood glucose test strip distributed in the United States (US), Canada and areas outside North America. The affected product, Nova Max Glucose Test Strips, is manufactured by Nova Diabetes Care. Nova Max Plus glucose meter kits which contain test strips from the recalled lots in their packages are also included in the recall.
The DH, through its routine surveillance on medical devices, noticed the above safety alert issued by the US Food and Drug Administration. According to the alert, the manufacturer has recently determined that the affected blood glucose test strips may report a falsely high blood glucose result.
A DH spokesman explained that falsely high blood glucose readings may mislead a diabetic patient into inappropriate management of his or her condition, resulting in hypoglycaemia.
The affected glucose test strips which have been distributed internationally (excluding North America) are Nova Max Glucose Test Strips (lot numbers: 1020212032, 1020112086, 1020213074 and 1020213109) and Nova Max Plus glucose meter kits (lot numbers: 1010112059, 1010213171, 1010312066, 1010712339 and 1010913198).
For the test strips and meter kits under recall in the US and Canada, the affected lot numbers can be found at the manufacturer's website
(www.novacares.com/news/additional-details-usa.php and www.novacares.com/news/additional-details-canada.php).
The DH is liaising with the manufacturer to ascertain if the affected products have been distributed in Hong Kong.
So far, the DH has not received any local report of adverse events arising from use of the affected products.
Members of the public who have the above test strips in their possession are advised to stop using the product.
"Those who have used the said product and are either feeling unwell or in doubt should consult their health-care professionals for advice as soon as possible," the spokesman remarked.
The DH has alerted the relevant stakeholders about the recall.
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