China investigating 'HIV positive' human immunoglobulin case

Tests show Meheco's human immunoglobulin HIV negative

BEIJING - Tests showed the reportedly HIV-positive human immunoglobulin for intravenous injection were virus negative, China's drug watchdog said Thursday.

The results of the nucleic acid test (NAT) on HIV, HBV and HCV for medical products manufactured by Shanghai-based China Meheco Xinxing Pharma Co., Ltd. were all negative, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) said in a statement.

The NAT result on HIV for patients in Jiangxi was also negative, the statement said.

National Health Commission on Tuesday informed the NMPA that a batch of Meheco-produced human immunoglobulin, carrying the batch number of 20180610Z, were found HIV antibody positive.

The NMPA sent work teams to Shanghai and Jiangxi and demanded its Shanghai bureau launch immediate site inspections and conduct drug tests on the medical products.

The related products have been sealed, and medical institutions nationwide have been asked to stop using them.

Further investigations are underway.