A pregnancy test kit is facing scrutiny from a New Zealand health arm after several reports of problems regarding test results. The New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority or Medsafe has said that it is continuing to monitor reports regarding the pregnancy test kit.
The pregnancy test kit is called the EasyCheck hCG Pregnancy Test Cassette. According to Medsafe, clinicians, district health boards, clinics and community providers have told them that there were problems with "false negative results and technical faults."
Medsafe investigating pregnancy test kits after false negatives reported https://t.co/TDJwHEbkI8 pic.twitter.com/rya59XzmGa
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Pregnancy Test Kit Supplier Speaks Out
News Hub reported that the pregnancy test kit's supplier, Phoenix MedCare, claimed that it has known out of 500,000 kits they have supplied since last year, there were only two unconfirmed cases of false negative results. It had reportedly conducted tests of the kit which did not show any irregularities.
"Our conclusion is that any false negative result is likely due to incorrect procedural or storage techniques," Pheonix MedCare spokesperson Brad Rodger was quoted as saying. Rodger had also said that they have seen incorrect results only when using a wrong method of using the kit.
Health Group Voices Concern
MedSafe said that it will finish monitoring the pregnancy test kit by November 2016. However, the Auckland Women's Health Council wants the EasyCheck hCG Pregnancy Test Cassette immediately, according to Radio NZ.
"It's denying women time to make choices about whether they continue to drink alcohol, and whether this pregnancy is welcome or not welcome," Auckland Women's Health Council spokeswoman Lynda Williams was quoted as saying. Williams added that women needed to be reassured of the reliability of pregnancy test kits.
