Recall on strips--CoaguChek

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barbwil

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Supporting Member
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Jun 8, 2005
Messages
317
Location
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Although I don't have a home tester, I know so many of you do and would be interested in this article I received in my email--

MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program

Roche Diagnostics and FDA informed consumers and healthcare
professionals of the recall of CoaguChek PT test strips used to
determine blood clotting time of patients taking anti-coagulant
medication to prevent blood clots. The recall was due to the potential
for a test strip defect that may cause falsely elevated test results,
resulting in an incorrect dose of anti-coagulant medication or
unnecessary corrective measures being taken to reduce the effect of
circulating anti-coagulants. Healthcare professionals who use CoaguChek
PT test strips should institute 'duplicate testing', or use two strips
with different lot numbers, on each patient to reduce the risk of bias.
Home users of CoaguChek PT test strip should immediately discontinue use
of the product and contact their healthcare provider.

Read the complete MedWatch 2006 safety summary, including a link to the
FDA press release at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/safety06.htm#CoaguChek
 
Thanks for the post. I called Roche. It was after normal hours and the on-call person didn't have details. I'll call back Monday. My next test is 10/30. Will go to the cardio's clinic if the home program is still off line.
 
I contacted Roche as soon as I got the email on this and they told me not to use any more strips and they needed the serial number of my machine and she told me that I would be getting a package by FedEx next week with forms that I would need to fill out for them. They also told me I would be reimbursed for the strips I have that can't be used now.
I also talked to Lance and they don't have any info yet from Roche.
Looks like I will be getting the INRatio that I wanted now.:)
 
I hate to read that for our members who have the hometester.:eek: Coaguchek PT.. I still have my old Protime. from QAS....Still doing great and 4 years.5 months old. I use the ProTime cuvette....Never a problem.:) Bonnie
 
Had an unusually high reading and control batch early this week.

Dave...question? I formally purchased my strips directly from Roche. Since they no longer sell product. I was sent over to another source. Do I contact Roche or my supplier about the recalled strips? Are there available strips that are not on the recall? Thanks!

PS. Never had an issue with my trusty Coaguchek. Went with the Coaguchek over the Protime. Easy to use. Less of a sample. And I did prove that the results were more accurate. Testing back to back with both units and the lab. Protime came back out of range. Too high. I have an original unit and will be waiting for the new unit to be marketed for sale in the states:)
 
Hey Gina,
I would contact both. Roche will need the serial number of your machine.
I told the gal on the phone that I have never had a problem with my machine, but she told me to discontinue using it for now.
I asked if there were any stripes that weren't on the recall and she told me ALL were being recalled.
I just hope they get what ever is wrong taken care of soon.
 
Wow, I feel really bad for those of you with the Coagucheck. I wonder what this means for the US release of their new machine? I'm wondering if they're going to be extra cautious in it's release.
 
Hi

It's Evelyn and we haven't left for Disney yet....the wind was soooo bad yesterday that Tyce said he didn't want to drive the motor home over the bridges in it, so we stayed home and will leave tomorrow.

I was reading this thread with great interest, as my Coaguchek is sitting in my MH waiting to go to Florida with us. I called Roche and they gave me a number 1 866 849 4333 that we can all call on Monday afternoon to let them know how many strips we have etc., for reimbursement....BUT while I was talking with them, the idea came to me......don't know if it would work, but here goes.....what about if you checked your own strips with someone who was not anticoagulated.....if you get the .1 reading there, then shouldn't the strips be ok for use???? I always do this normally when we open a box and run controls.....any opinions?????

The lady from Roche did say that drs. offices will have a fix in place but home testers will not.

Evelyn
 
Does anyone have any heads up as far as a coumadin clinic in the orlando or tampa area? Guess we'll be heading to one if we can find one.....Thanks....Much appreciated.

Evelyn
 
EVELYN
Using someone who one knows is "normal-IE someone/some people with no know abnormalites in the blood area should be a reasonable compromise for someone who has difficulties in making immediate alternative arrangements- someone crash landed on a desert island comes to mind!. Roche should be better able to advise and should be contacted with all despatch!

The reagent may be ok at an INR of 1.2 but out appreciably at 2/3/4 . Indeed with an acceptable reagent it is usually the case that a difference does arise (as measured against the chosen yardstick) with differing INR's- though an acceptable one and these divergencies are known
 
"The lady from Roche did say that drs. offices will have a fix in place but home testers will not."

Thank you for posting that, Evelyn. I noticed two weeks ago that our doctor uses a Coagucheck in his office so I hope he will have new "good" strips when we go back next month.

I'm sorry this happened just as you were preparing to leave for Disney.
 
Oops...
Hopefully it's something driven by fear of your ever-hungry US tort lawyers rather than something that has a very high likelihood of damaging us. Heard nothing from Roche in UK yet.

I would guess that the UK Coaguchek info/helpline (0808-100-7666) could get rather busy first thing Monday morning;)
 
Thanks, Barb.....me too.....

Did find a cardiovascular site that has a c.clinic in tampa.....oh well, another adventure!!!!

Too bad they don't have one at Disney......hmmmmmm

Evelyn
 
Evelyn

Evelyn

Just googled "coumadin clinic Orlando FL" and found the Florida Heart Group.

Telephone Directory
You may reach our staff Monday - Thursday from 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Main Office - Orlando (407) 894-4474
Appointments - ext. 1220
Billing - ext. 1227
Human Resources - ext. 1178
Coumadin Clinic - ext. 1260
Medical Records - ext. 1224
Medical Questions - ext. 1223
Arrhythmia Clinic - ext. 1225
Prescription Refills - ext. 1221
Procedure Scheduling - ext. 1129 or 1107

We can only hope that they know how todo it properly!!!;) ;)
 
thanks Barb.....anything in Tampa????

I'll try too, but computers are NOT my thing.

Ev
 
Hi, Ev. Girlfriend

Hi, Ev. Girlfriend

Give RandyL an email/pm...He lives in orlando and has a mechanical valve He is regular on Sunday Night chat. Remember, he is the one that posts the great fishing pics.:D .....Was wondering, what was Tyce's last INR/test?..If in range, could you not wait until yall got back home? have fun on your trip. Bonnie
 
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