Get tested – but make sure your kit is CE marked!

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning to people to not use or buy Hightop HIV/AIDS Home Test Kit because they may be unreliable and produce incorrect results. Dr Say Quah at the RVH Clinic has asked us to share the warning through our stakeholders and networks.

More details are available in an MHRA press release and a video to raise awareness across social media channels is available on Twitter.

If people believe they have used a Hightop HIV/AIDS Home Test Kit they should seek a further HIV test at their local sexual health clinic or through their GP.

The HIV self-test kit, manufactured by Qingdao Hightop Biotech Co Ltd, does not have a valid CE mark which means the product has not met a number of regulatory requirements concerning test performance, labelling and instructions for use. MHRA is investigating the issue with experts at Public Health England.

Suspected faulty test kits can be reported via the Yellow Card Scheme.

WE want folk to look after themselves and to get tested – but please be sure you’re using an appropriate testing kit.

For further information, please contact Janette Harper on janette.harper@nhs.net or look at the www.england.nhs.uk

jacquie