NMRA raid nets antigen test kits, oximeters worth millions

The raid was done in Pettah and Dematagoda last Saturday (4). During the raid, 480 antigen test kits and 1,767 oximeters were found, NMRA’s Chief Food and Drug Inspector and Law Enforcement Division Head Amit Perera said. The raid was carried out by the NMRA following a tip-off received by State Minister Channa Jayasumana that unregistered antigen testing kits were being sold online.

Perera further said that after raiding a location in Pettah and arresting a person with several antigen test kits, they were able to arrest a businessperson in the Dematagoda area who was importing the relevant test kits and Oximeters and distributing them in the country.

Investigations revealed that the antigen test kits and oximeters were imported by a businessman who was importing materials for cosmetic purposes. The NMRA has launched an extensive investigation into the laboratories from which these antigen testing kits were purchased. Perera also said that there was a problem with the quality of antigen test kits and oximeters that were not registered with the NMRA and that the data on them was questionable. He said that those who used them were more likely to resort to incorrect medical treatment based on inaccurate laboratory reports.The raid was carried out by a team of authorized officers of the NMRA on the instructions of NMRA Chairman Dr. Rasitha Wijewantha, CEO Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe and Food andDrug Enforcement Division Head Amith Perera and Food and Drug Inspector Mahinda Siri Guru Kumara.