Article author:
The Canadian Press
Health Canada has issued a public alert for the discovery of counterfeit COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Ontario.
According to the agency, the counterfeit tests were sold online in boxes of 25 by a distributor called Healthful Plus, without the necessary license.
The packages were sold by BTNX Inc. It's similar to the original, using the device identifier "COV-19C25", but with some key differences.
These include the manufacturer being listed as Health Advance Inc. instead of his BTNX Inc. Health Advance is listed as an "Official Canadian Distributor". Added the text "Health Canada Approved" to the box.
Health Canada says it has not evaluated the safety and effectiveness of counterfeit kits.
The agency said that anyone suspected of having a counterfeit kit should refrain from using it and instead report it to the government or he to BTNX.
According to Health Canada, the issue appears to be limited to one of his manufacturers, Health Advance Inc., and one of his distributors, Healthful Plus. Health Advance no longer appears to manufacture medical devices, and his website for Healthful Plus has been taken down.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on August 5, 2022.
