Centre asks states to stop using kits from Chinese Companies

NEW DELHI: Centre has asked states to stop using kits from two Chinese Companies.

ICMR sent out a tweet on this:

"Due to wide variation in sensitivity, states have been advised to stop using and return antibody testing kits from Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics. It is to clarify that no further order has been placed to these companies. #IndiaFightsCorona

After the Govt. issued advisory on kits imported from China, the embassy in New Delhi has come out with a statement on this issue.

"We are deeply concerned with the evaluation results and the decision made by Indian Council of Medical Research. China attaches great importance to the quality of exported medical products. Recently, Chinese Embassy in India has maintained close contact with ICMR and the two Chinese companies to find out the real situation," said Ji Rong, Counselor and Spokesperson of the Embassy of China.

"It is unfair and irresponsible for certain individuals to label Chinese products as "faulty"; and look at issues with preemptive prejudice," said the Spokesperson.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday that no payment has been made by the ICMR for the faulty Chinese testing kits for Covid-19.

Addressing a press conference here, Joint Secretary at the Health Ministry Luv Agarwal said that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) cancelled the order as soon as it found out that the kits were faulty.

“The ICMR followed the due process to finalise tenders for the purchase of rapid testing kits, based on sensitivity and specificity. When complaints from the field arose, ICMR reacted promptly and cancelled the orders. No payment was made to the vendors. No payment has been made by the ICMR to the companies whose testing kits were found to be faulty,” Agarwal told the media.

The ICMR had earlier clarified that it followed proper procedure for the procurement of the rapid testing kits from a Chinese company. In a press statement, the ICMR said that it tried to procure the kits directly from the Wondfo company in China, but due to the terms and conditions regarding guarantee of the product and 100 per cent advance payment, it decided to procure the kits from Wondfo’s exclusive distributor for India which quoted an all inclusive price for FOB (logistics) without any clause for advance.

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