Siemens calls pregnancy test back

Recall: Siemens recalls pregnancy test

12/30/2011

The Munich-based Siemens company has 15 deliveries of the pregnancy test „Clinitest hCG“ recalled, as this indicates false positive results. The pregnancy tests were only delivered to hospitals or laboratories but not sold to private individuals. Several hundred clinics and laboratories worldwide are affected.

Pregnancy tests provide incorrect results
A spokesman for Siemens Healthcare, the Group's health care business, confirmed information from the French health and safety regulator (Afssaps) that tests were often falsely predictive of pregnancy or inconclusive.

As early as mid-December, the laboratories were asked to destroy the pregnancy tests. As a precautionary measure, Siemens will for the time being deliver no further tests of this kind until the cause of the error has been found, the company spokesman continues. However, he could not say exactly how many tests were affected in which countries. According to dpa information, laboratories in Ireland are also Siemens customers. The pregnancy test was combined with a mini-laboratory for urine diagnostics „ Clinitek status“ advertised and sold as a particularly reliable product.

Reagents also affected
According to Afssaps, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics also reported certain deliveries of the reagent „Dade Actin FSL“, that is too sensitive to heparin. Heparin is a drug used to prevent blood clots. The company warns that doctors may be tempted to reduce heparin. This would increase the risk of embolism or thrombosis. Siemens offers affected laboratories the opportunity to exchange products for free. (Ag)

Image: TiM Caspary