J&J Finds Fake Diabetes Test Strips in India
Johnson & Johnson has discovered counterfeit versions of its diabetes test strips in India, as the health-care giant continues a long-running global battle to eradicate the fake products. According to a notice posted online by J&J’s LifeScan business last month, the products were made to resemble OneTouch Ultra blood-glucose test strips. The fake products lacked certain features, such as the OneTouch trademark printed on the test strips.
J&J believes the fake test strips were manufactured in China and repackaged in counterfeit packaging in India, said spokesman David Detmers. The company doesn’t have an estimate of the amount of fake product, but it believes it is a very small percentage of total OneTouch strips available in India.
Police in India conducted a raid in February and arrested three men in connection with the fake products, Mr. Detmers said. Indian publications reported the arrests were made in the New Delhi area. J&J’s LifeScan division said it is working closely with the Drugs Controller General of India and Customs to try to prevent fake test strips from entering or being distributed in India.
This is very scary now! Genuine OneTouch strips are used with meters that help diabetics monitor blood-sugar levels. Fake strips can give inaccurate readings, which can be life-threatening if they cause patients to take too much or too little insulin. A very dear friend of mind depends on these strips with her life.