Which Rats Have Been Withdrawn From the Market?
WouterThe Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has reviewed the performance of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests, and has withdrawn CovClear by Medi-Stats, NowCheck by Life Bioscience, and COVIFIND by Safe Interact from the market. The medical regulator has also suspended the PCL COVID-19 Rapid sponsored by Haemokinesis. Becton Dickinson has voluntarily withdrawn the BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection, sponsored by Haemokinesis.
The results of the EPM test showed that withdrawal-induced anxiogenesis was similar in males and females across ages. However, pretest variables were not significant in predicting the EPM response in female rats and adolescents. This suggests that the first study is not reliable enough to predict the effects of subsequent tests.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is continuing to reassess COVID rapid antigen tests available in the market, as the disease’s strains continue to evolve. Several RATs have been withdrawn from shelves since January, including CovClear by Medi-Stats, COVIFIND by Safe Interact, and the BD Veritor System for Rapid Detection Dickinson.
The Department of Health has not responded to a request for comment. However, it has issued a statement denying any directive to divert RAT supplies. It also stressed that the rat supplies were procured in line with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and through normal commercial channels.
