ICMR suggests not to use Chinese COVID kit

ICMR urged States to stop using COVID kit from China.

The Indian Council of Medical Research has evaluated the COVID 19 kit from two Chinese companies namely Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics. The result of this was that the rapid antibody blood tests kit shows wide variation in their sensitivity.

This comes after some states have raised issues regarding their performance during the testing exercise that they have undertaken. The variation is from 6% to 71%.

Earlier, on 21st April, the Council had advised the states to not to use the kits for two days, to examine the quality in the wake of a large number of complaints received from several states.

The companies in question has provided 500,000 COVID kits and were distributed in the states that had reported a large number of positive cases.  

The companies have claimed that the kit is not faulty but problem lies with the manner in which the healthcare workers are using the kit.

The companies has expressed disappointment over ICMR’s decision. They’ve said they’re confident about the product and are investigating the concerns raised.

China’s response

The Chinese embassy spokesperson has expressed deep concern over the evaluation results and the decision of ICMR to send back the kits.

She added, that they have given great importance to quality of exported medical products. And that it is unfair and irresponsible to label Chinese products as faulty and to look at these issues with preemptive prejudice.