Thaindian News

By Gina Gomez
Dec 23, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Abbott Laboratories the latest company to join the bandwagon of drugmakers who have been hitting headlines this year for recalling their medicines over a variety of reasons. The North Chicago based drug-maker has recalled a whopping 359 million testing strips that was used to test glucose levels by diabetes patients over glitches regarding its readings. The news that Abbott Laboratories is all set to recall the large number of diabetes tests strips was announced on Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

While making the announcement, the agency revealed that the decision to recall the glucose testing strips made by the leading drug manufacturer was taken after it was concluded that readings furnished by the strips might be faulty and might result in low glucose readings. The statement released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration further went on to reveal that the main reason for the recall was the strips’ failure to provide correct readings due to its inability to absorb enough amount of flood for proper monitoring. However, it has been clarified that the recall affects only the glucose strips manufactured by Abbott Laboratories and not the monitoring system as a whole.

According to Abbott Laboratories, the issue with strips might have stemmed from their age or the manner in which they were stored for extended periods. The decision to recall the glucose strips was voluntarily taken by the Chicago based drug maker after the problem was discovered through a ‘routine internal quality review.’ In the meanwhile, Greg Miley, a spokesperson of Abbott Laboratories has reiterated that the company is taking proper actions to address the issue and prevent it in future.