I know a shopkeeper having these corona testing kits is weird.. but it’s just business
Newsagent’s controversial cash-in on Covid-19
A newsagent is cashing in on the coronavirus outbreak by selling controversial antibody tests.
Nadeem Anwar bragged how he has already sold 1000 boxes of the devices – which he admits are not 100 per cent accurate – to a pharmacy chain.
The shopkeeper also claimed he had 4000 boxes that he is selling for £750 each and was waiting on a shipment of 9000 more to arrive from China.
Watchdogs yesterday warned his unscrupulous sideline is illegal and told the public to steer clear.
But Anwar said: “I like to be at the forefront or try to be ahead of the game whenever there’s a growing demand for things that could help the community or public in general.
“I’ve got friends and family high-up in the biomedics and pharmaceuticals industry. I know a shopkeeper having these kits is weird but it’s business.
“I’m hardly making any money on these, the profit margin is small.”
Anwar received a consignment of kits last week – a month after placing his order, he said. Each box contains 25 tests, meaning he is holding enough to screen 100,000 people.
The businessman claimed the devices – which appear to be made by Chinese pharma firm Yuno Diagnostics Co Ltd – are 92 per cent accurate.
Home antibody testing kits assessed by the UK Government have all proved too inaccurate for use. The Department of Health has said it would be asking for its money back after buying three million unusable home tests from China.
It is feared people would incorrectly think they are immune to Covid-19 and still be at risk of getting ill.
Other countries, including Spain and Italy, have rejected tests from China over doubts about their accuracy.
Antibody tests that identify people who have recovered from coronavirus are regarded as a key to finding a route out of the lockdown.
An war sells the kits from Partick
Sup e Super st ororee on
Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow.
Phar ma-r macce utica ls watchdog the
I don’t understand how I can get these antibody kits but the NHS can’t
Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said Anwar was illegally selling the kits and that it was working with partners to clamp down on “criminal activity”.
Anwar said: “I have certifcates to prove that my tests are legitimate if anyone in authority comes in and challenges me. The kits are CE and MHRA registered. I’m untouchable.
“They’re 92 per cent accurate – I think that’s good enough for people to use. I’ve sold 1000 to a pharmacy chain, I don’t want to say which one.
“These kits are available for me to supply any government body, GP surgeries, clinics, pharmacies and any major employer.
“I don’t understand how I can get these antibody kits but the NHS can’t.
“These should be used on the frontline workers, they could get the kits from me. Maybe it’s because they come from China and the Government doesn’t trust the Chinese. It’s a shame. I’ve tested all my family and they all came back negative. Each test takes about 15 minutes to produce a result, it’s straightforward.”
Anwar, of Glasgow’s Pollokshields, added: “It’s not about money.
“I’m not charging as much as some people selling kits. They want hundreds of pounds per test. I’ve got a box of 25 for £750 – that’s £ 30 per test.”
CE marking is a certification that indicates conformity with health, safety and environmental standards for products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA). It is also found on products sold outside the EEA that have been made to their standards.
Coronavirus was first detected in China in December. The virus has since claimed more than 100,000 lives. Last week, Professor Sir John Bell, from
Oxford University, who is examining coronavirus antibody testing kits for the UK Government, said that of those tested so far, none have “performed well” and “none of them would meet the criteria for a good test”.
Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said: “Any black market in coronavirus tests must be shut down immediately.
“This is just too important to mess around. Testing must be off icially approved and orchestrated by experts, not sold from the back of lorry.”
Scottish Lib Dem Health spokesman Alex ColeHamilton MSP said: “Everyone wants to see testing expand rapidly but the reality is that medical experts don’t believe we are at a stage where there is a reliable antibody test ready to go. Anyone claiming otherwise risks giving false hope to the public and, even worse, risks those who put their faith in these tests spreading the virus further.
“I would urge that these products are removed from circulation until such time as medical experts are confident they are reliable and accurate.”
Scottish Labour’s health spokeswoman Monica Lennon said: “I f these so-called coronavirus testing kits are not good enough for the NHS, a newsagent in Glasgow certainly shouldn’t be punting them.
“No one should be raking in huge amounts of cash for tests that haven’t been approved for clinical use in the UK. Irresponsible and dangerous practices could risk lives and must be stamped out.”
An MHRA spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that there are no CE-marked tests for home use and it is illegal to supply such products.
“Patient safety is our highest priority and we are working with other law enforcement agencies and with partners across Government to combat this type of criminal activity.
“We are also actively investigating a number of reports of the sale of counterfeit or unlicensed products relating to Covid-19.
“There are CE-marked antibody tests available but all are for professional use only and should not be purchased for individual or home use.
“The MHRA has conducted regulatory checks on these CE-marked products but it is important to note that we do not confirm that these products have been reviewed for performance or validity.”