FDA Warns Consumers Not to Use Home-Use Diagnostic Kits Marketed by Globus Media

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to use unapproved home-use diagnostic test kits that have been marketed nationwide via the Internet by Globus Media, Montreal, Canada. In fact, no home-use test kits intended for diagnosing HIV, syphilis and dengue fever are approved for sale in the United States. The use of these products could result in false results (though there is no confirmed evidence of false positives) that could lead to significant adverse health consequences. The illegal kits are labeled as:

Rapid HIV Test Kit

Rapid Syphilis Test Kit

One Step Cassette Style Cocaine Test

One Step Cassette Style Marijuana (THC) Test

One Step Cassette Style Amphetamine Test

Rapid Dengue Fever Test

One Step Midstream Style HCG Urine (Home)

Pregnancy Test

FDA learned of the problem from two consumer complaints.

FDA has not approved or evaluated the performance of any of Globus Medias products. As a result, consumers cannot know with any degree of certainty that test results are correct. For example, a person testing positive for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, or the AIDS virus) using one of these tests may not be infected with HIV, or, worse, someone infected with HIV may test negative and not seek medical treatment or spread the virus to others.

The tests were sold through web sites and distributed throughout the United States, usually by overnight delivery services. These have been made available for sale on several web sites, including www.htkit.com and www.hstkits.com. The kits usually are contained in a paper envelope with instructions inside the packaging. The envelope, instructions and packaging may not accurately identify the manufacturer, packer or distributor. The name of the kit appears on the instructions.

Consumers who have these products should not use them. Anyone who has used one of these test kits should be retested using valid test methods.

The FDA has issued an import alert which alerts FDA field personnel to the possible importation of these devices, provides guidance as to their detention and refusal of admission into the U.S., and also advises U.S. Customs officials about these products.

Source: FDA