The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has found around 2,000 products available to buy online since last October.
The fake test devices for HIV and other diseases can show negative results when the person is positive, resulting in an individual believing they are infection-free and unknowingly spreading an infection to others.
An MHRA spokesman said: “Medical devices that do not display the CE mark and four-digit number cannot be guaranteed to meet quality and safety standards and could lead to false negative results, potentially leading to STIs or blood-borne viruses to be spread further. Always purchase medical devices from a registered pharmacy or reputable retail outlet. If you have any concerns about your health, speak to a doctor or healthcare professional.”
The MHRA is running a #FakeMeds public health campaign to reduce the harm caused by purchasing fake, unlicensed or counterfeit medical products online. It comes after research found that more than half of all medical products bought online are either substandard or counterfeit.
Source: The Guardian, 20 October 2019
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