By Avleen K Mokha
In an advisory statement, Health Canada warns citizens to not purchase or rely on unauthorized test kits claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19.
Health Canada has authorized COVID-19 test kits intended for use only by healthcare professionals or trained operators.
If you have purchased an unauthorized test kit that claims to diagnose or detect COVID‑19, do not use it or rely on its results. Consult your local health authority for recommendations on testing and testing services for COVID-19. If you have any information on the potential false or misleading advertising or sale of products that have not been authorized by Health Canada, report it.
Do not buy home diagnostic test kits, including mail-in sample collection kits, claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19 because they may provide inaccurate or false results.
“These products have not been authorized by Health Canada, which means they have not been reviewed for safety, quality or effectiveness,” the advisory read.
The Department continues to monitor websites for false claims and is working with online retailers to ensure that unauthorized COVID-19 diagnostic or detection test kits are removed from their websites.
Health Canada is also working with the RCMP to take action when unauthorized test kits are found to be sold in Canada, including a recent seizure of over 1500 test kits in B.C.
“Selling or advertising health products that make false or misleading claims is illegal in Canada. The Department takes this issue seriously and will use all mechanisms and tools at its disposal to stop these activities.”
Source: Health Canada
Avleen K Mokha Local Journalism Initiative Reporter For Parc-Extension News avleen@newsfirst.ca
