The Office of Fair Trading is warning local consumers to be on their guard following a warning regarding unapproved medical devices being sold over the internet.
Seizures of over 400 fake digital thermometers were made in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as part of a UK-wide operation; some of the fake thermometers were being sold cheaply online for 99p and they do not have appropriate CE safety markings, warnings or instructions for use to prevent them endangering people’s health.
The fake thermometers are likely to give inaccurate readings posing a serious threat to the health of adults and small children who have illnesses such as meningitis.
The fake thermometers have no recognised brand name and can be recognised by the following information missing on the packaging:
• No instructions for use leaflet is with the product
• No lot or batch number is listed
• No CE mark
• No manufacturer or European representative details are listed
• No four digit identification number to show that the device has been through the appropriate safety assessment
The MHRA is investigating how the products came to be on sale in the UK market and is working with internet sites to prevent them being sold.
The public are urged to report any fake medical devices via the MHRA's Adverse Incident Hotline on 020 3080 7080 or via its website.
For further information:-
John Peet, Deputy Chief Officer, OFT - tel. 01624 686526
