European authorities warn about counterfeit tests for COVID-19 and flu that have reached the market of the European Union, however, so far there is no evidence that they have been distributed in pharmacies or to authorized distributors.

European health authorities have issued a warning regarding counterfeit COVID-19 and flu test kits that have reached the European Union market. The manufacturer Safecare Biotech from China has confirmed that batch FCO24090516 is fake. The alert was generated by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) after authorities in Portugal identified these manipulated tests. AEMPS has initiated an investigation to verify the distribution of these tests in Spain, but so far there is no evidence that they have reached pharmacies or authorized distributors. However, the risk remains high, as the tests are being sold online or through unofficial channels. Authorities have pointed out three clear alterations that indicate counterfeiting: labels with altered information, lack of batch number and manufacturing dates on the testing box and extraction tube, as well as the use of an unauthorized sampling swab. These counterfeit tests pose a major danger to public health, as they can lead to erroneous results. Authorities recommend purchasing tests exclusively from pharmacies and warn individuals who possess suspicious kits not to use them.