The Department of Health (DH) today (April 10) drew public attention to a safety alert issued by Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited concerning two glucose test strips namely Accu-Chek Compact test strips and Accu-Chek Mobile tests, respectively compatible with its home blood glucose monitoring systems Accu-chek CompactPlus meter and Accu-chek Mobile meter, manufactured by Roche Diabetes Care.
According to the manufacturer, the test strips may lead to erroneously lowered blood glucose readings in patients undergoing ceftriaxone therapy, which is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. This limitation is not described in the product labelling.
A spokesman for the DH said that ceftriaxone is a type of antibiotic used for treating a variety of infections such as respiratory infections or lower urinary tract infections. Patients with diabetes who are receiving this specific therapy should stop using the affected blood glucose monitoring systems and contact their attending doctors.
The spokesman explained that falsely low blood glucose readings may mislead a diabetic patient into inappropriate management of his or her condition, resulting in hyperglycemia.
"The DH's enquiry with the local supplier reveals that around 2 000 Accu-chek CompactPlus meters and 200 Accu-chek Mobile meters have been sold locally," the spokesman said.
So far, the DH has not received any local report of adverse events arising from use of the affected products.
The company has set up a customer service hotline 2485 7512 or 2485 7508 to answer related enquiries.
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