KARACHI, Sept 25: The absence of any regulatory authority for adequate assessment and monitoring of blood screening kits in the city is causing confusion and leading to conflicting results.

Local pathologists fear the scenario might be causing misleading test results, with every possible chance that many of the positive cases for malaria, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus etc may be being overlooked.

It may be mentioned that the components for many of these kits are imported by a number of local firms who then assemble the kits. The raw materials, often claimed to be imported from either the US or Europe, are generally found to be procured from China, Korea or Taiwan.

Ironically, these ‘kits’ can be witnessed being falsely labelled with absolute impunity, as either certified by the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) of the United States or approved by the Paul Ehrilich Institute of Europe.

Dr Syed Abdul Mujeeb of the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre blood bank said on Wednesday that the entire South Asian region is flooded with fake and poor quality kits.

He stated that as no controlling authority to verify the originality exists — particularly in Pakistan — it is easy to bluff local institutions and professionals.

The senior pathologist, however, mentioned that some of the conscientious firm owners do approach experienced personnel to ensure that kits marketed by them are of the required standard, and if they are informed of any fault, they do withdraw the product.

“But keeping in view the mushroom growth of kit assembling units in the country, fairplay cannot be expected from everybody,” he added.—APP