Urgent warning about counterfeit anti-choking devices made in China and sold for as little as £15 on Amazon and eBay
- MHRA warns that off-brand anti-choking devices ‘could worsen choking incidents’
- Typically, counterfeit devices are sold by the manufacturer for around £60, while counterfeit devices are sold for £15
Dangerous counterfeit anti-choking devices are being sold in Britain for as little as £15.
Regulators warned today that the gadgets – marketed as life savers – could be deadly.
Bosses at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which oversees the safety of medicines and medical devices in Britain, are urging the public not to buy counterfeit or unbranded versions of the devices, as these pose a ‘significant risk’.
It is estimated that more than 10,000 rogue anti-choking devices have been purchased in the UK from marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay.
The devices work by using air pressure to suck out the item blocking the person’s airway.
It is estimated that more than 10,000 counterfeit anti-choking devices have been purchased by the public in the past two years, based on listings found on online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay, and drop-shipping websites (image at left shows a real product). Usually sold for around £60 by the manufacturer, knockoffs made in China sell for as little as £15 on eBay (image on the right shows a knockoff)
Currently only LifeVac and Dechoker are registered with the MHRA. Both have a valid UKCA or CE marking.
Health chiefs say they should only be used after basic life-support protocols have been tried and failed.
Fake specimens can look virtually identical.
None of the MHRA registered anti-choking devices are made in China. However, some claim it is real.
Regulators say the devices may not work in a life-threatening situation and could worsen the situation by pushing obstacles further into the airways.
MHRA is urging people buying anti-choking devices online to be ‘vigilant’ and ensure these products are purchased from reputable sellers.
Buyers are also warned to be careful of websites that use fake reviews to promote their product and should also check whether the device manufacturer is registered with the MHRA via its public database.
Dr. Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said: ‘Patient safety is our top priority.
‘Purchasing anti-choking devices that do not have a valid UKCA or CE mark increases the risk of receiving a product that does not contain appropriate instructions and is counterfeit or does not meet UK legal requirements.
‘These products do not meet our strict quality standards and can significantly jeopardize your health and safety by unresolving or even exacerbating choking incidents.’
Dr. Cave added: ‘The MHRA is working with online marketplaces to remove unbranded and counterfeit anti-choking devices from sale.
‘Do not use the device if you suspect it is counterfeit.’
‘Please file a yellow card report if you have previously used a counterfeit or off-brand device and it did not work, including details of where you purchased the product.’
MHRA is urging people to contact the legal manufacturer, LifeVac, if they are unsure whether their device is genuine or counterfeit.
Suffocation occurs when someone’s airways suddenly become blocked. This may be complete or partial, but enough that the person cannot breathe properly.
If an adult’s airways are blocked, they may be able to clear the blockage themselves.
However, if coughing doesn’t solve the problem, back blows and abdominal thrusts can help. If these do not work you should call 999 immediately.
The NHS warns that you should not give abdominal thrusts to babies under one year old or to pregnant women.
Asphyxia happens when someone’s airways suddenly become blocked. This may be complete or partial, but enough that the person cannot breathe properly
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning the public not to buy counterfeit or off-brand anti-choking devices as they could put people at ‘significant risk’.
There are currently two brands of anti-choke devices, LifeVac and Dechoker, which have a valid UKCA or CE mark and are registered with the MHRA for use after Basic Life Support protocols have been tried and failed.
This is how you see the difference…
Original device
This device has the CE mark. Look for the UKCA or CE marking when checking whether it is an original product.
It must also contain the address and name of the EU authorized representative and a Unique Device Identifier (UDI) number.
The original design includes a black one-way suction valve in the bellows (or chamber) to prevent air from being expelled upon depression, so that only upward force is generated to clear obstructions from the airway.
The base of an original device does not contain the ‘Made in USA’ statement found on the counterfeit or unbranded devices.
The packaging of the anesthesia masks supplied with the original device contains details of the legal manufacturer and the EU authorized representative.
MHRA explains that while the masks supplied with the original device were originally manufactured in China, the device as a whole did not originate in China.
Counterfeit/unbranded
The counterfeit or unbranded devices do not have this data.
The counterfeit or off-brand devices do not have any form of one-way suction valve, which means that air can be expelled from the device when pressed. This creates a downward force that may push obstacles further into the airways.
Counterfeit or unbranded devices will have “Made in USA” embossed on them.
The packaging of the anesthesia masks supplied with the counterfeit or unbranded devices is CE marked and batch numbers are displayed, but the details of the manufacturer and the EU Authorized Representative (EC Rep) are not printed.
SOURCE: MHRA