Randox response to comments within Sunday Times article 18th October 2020
Randox response to comments within Sunday Times article 18th October 2020
Randox response to comments within Sunday Times article 18th October:
Randox rejects comments made in the Sunday Times on 18th October, related to Randox’s contribution to the UK’s Covid-19 national testing programme, as misleading and inaccurate.
Randox have committed, through private investment, to the rapid growth of Covid-19 testing capacity within the UK. Indeed Randox are successfully operating at considerable scale and are currently providing well in excess of the testing capacity we have committed to the UK’s testing programme.
The vast majority of samples are reported within 24 hours of entering our laboratories.
Those samples that are found to be unsuitable for processing on receipt at our facilities, and are therefore voided, are not the responsibility of Randox. Such samples are voided when issues have arisen during sample collection and logistic processes, controlled by other parties.
It should also be noted that the proportion of samples found to be unsuitable on receipt at our facilities are both very low and comparable with all other laboratories across the programme.
Randox remain committed to supporting the UK’s Covid-19 testing programme and fully understand the importance of our work to the social and economic well being of the nation.
Press enquiries should be emailed to randox@newcenturymedia.co.uk
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Drugs of Abuse – A Global Pandemic
4th September 2019
Drugs of Abuse – A Global Pandemic
The prevalence of drug addiction and abuse across the globe has become a growing concern. It is currently estimated that 71 million people use drugs of abuse with around 166,000 direct deaths occurring from drug use in 2017.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) estimate that 11 million people inject drugs across the globe, of which 1.3 million are living with HIV, 5.5 million with hepatitis C, and 1 million with both HIV and hepatitis C. In addition to infectious disease, long term drug abuse increases the risk of several cancers, cardiovascular effects, respiratory effects, gastrointestinal effects, kidney & liver damage and mental health issues.
The abuse of drugs is one of the most pressing issues in the USA and other countries globally. Drug abuse not only affects the individual, but can also have far-reaching consequences that affect family, employment, personal health, health care systems, local communities, and society as a whole.
Global Drug Abuse – The buzz that keeps on going!
> Misuse of illicit drugs affects society through secondary costs incurred such as crime, reduced productivity at work, and health care expenses.
> Substance abuse costs the US health care system about $11 billion, with overall costs reaching $193 billion.
> Substance abuse and addiction also affects other areas of life leading to broken families, destroyed careers, death due to negligence or accident, domestic violence, physical abuse and child abuse.
> Drug abuse and addiction changes the chemistry of your brain. The longer an individual abuses drugs, the more damage is caused, making it more difficult to return to ‘normal’ during drug rehabilitation.
> Treating and tackling drug addiction is a challenge. As drug treatment and health services continue to fall short, there is an increased need to continuously adapt drug detection and analysis.
Randox laboratories are at the forefront, aiding the fight against drugs of abuse with a comprehensive range of 10 drugs of abuse assays including several stimulants, sedatives and opioids available to run on Randox’s very own clinical chemistry analysers, the RX series. To find out now how Randox is helping to tackle the ongoing prevalence of drugs of abuse click here or buy directly from the Randox Online Store.
About Randox Laboratories
As a world leader in the in-vitro diagnostic industry with over 35 years’ experience, Randox is leading the charge in moving from a one-size-fits-all approach towards decisions, practices and products tailored to the needs of the individual. This innovative approach to diagnostics has facilitated the development of revolutionary products designed specifically to enhance a patients’ quality of life.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our Drugs of Abuse pages to learn more.
Related Products
RX Overview
Randox Reagents
Therapeutic Drugs Monitoring
References
Accreditation Release – Randox RX series gains NGSP Certification for Direct HbA1c
16th July 2019
Accreditation Release – NGSP Certified
Randox RX series gains NGSP Certification for Direct HbA1c
Randox Laboratories has today announced its achievement in being awarded the Manufacturer Certification by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP); for direct HbA1c testing on three of its clinical chemistry analysers; the RX modena, RX imola and RX daytona+.
NGSP is recommended for laboratories conducting diabetes-related clinical trials and is only granted on the basis of 98% accuracy. With the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus increasing rapidly, affecting roughly 8% of the total population, the achievement of this certification emphasises that Randox RX series clinical chemistry analysers correlate with global standards and deliver accurate, reliable and precise results for direct HbA1c testing; helping clinicians make informed decisions for patients with diabetes.
The Randox automated immunoturbidmetric HbA1c test exhibits high accuracy and reproducibility with the added advantages of using liquid reagents with good stability, and on-board pre- treatment of samples; therefore offering an improved method for the rapid direct measurement of HbA1c in human blood.
Randox Direct HbA1c Assay Features
> Sample type – suitable for use with whole blood samples
> Latex enhanced immunoassay method – the Randox assay utilises an immunoassay method making it simple and quick to perform
> Liquid ready to use reagents – for ease of use and convenience
> Excellent stability – all reagents are stable to expiry date when stored at +2-8ºC or 28 days on board the analyser at approximately 10°C
Advantages of the RX series Direct HbA1c Testing
> Fully automated on-board haemolysis function for HbA1c testing
> Continuous loading and STAT sample functionality to enhance productivity in the laboratory (analyser dependent)
> Low sample volumes required
> 1200 tests per hour including ISE (RX modena)
About Randox Laboratories
As a world leader in the in-vitro diagnostic industry with over 35 years’ experience, Randox is leading the charge in moving from a one-size-fits-all approach towards decisions, practices and products tailored to the needs of the individual. This innovative approach to diagnostics has facilitated the development of revolutionary products designed specifically to enhance a patients’ quality of life.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our RX page to learn more.
Related Products
RX daytona+
RX imola
RX modena
RX Overview
References
Trade Release – Randox RX daytona+ (FDA) 510 (K) Clearance
24th May 2019
(FDA) 510 (K) Clearance
Randox RX daytona+ (FDA) 510 (K) Clearance
Randox Laboratories a world leader in the in-vitro diagnostic industry with over 35 years’ experience is pleased to announce 510K clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the RX daytona+ clinical chemistry analyzer. Renowned for quality and reliability, the RX series leads the way with the world’s most extensive dedicated clinical chemistry test menu comprising routine chemistries, specific proteins, lipids, therapeutic drugs, drugs of abuse, antioxidants, diabetes and veterinary testing. Guaranteeing real cost savings through consolidation of routine and specialized tests onto a single platform, the RX series of analyzers offers excellence in patient care, delivering unrivalled precision, accuracy and reliability.
The RX daytona+ fully automated, benchtop, clinical chemistry analyzer is capable of performing high quality testing including emergency STAT sampling and boasts a combined throughput of 450 tests per hour including ISE. The most versatile chemistry analyzer in its class, the RX daytona+ presents laboratories with a range of benefits offering optimum performance, unrivalled uptime, flexibility, efficiency and functionality.
Randox have a long history of being at the forefront of diagnostic testing and have brought to market a range of innovative and versatile clinical chemistry analyzers developed to revolutionize patient testing in a variety of laboratory types including; Clinical Laboratories, University & Research Institutes, Veterinary Laboratories and Food & Wine Laboratories. The capabilities of the RX daytona+ exceed in any laboratory setting regardless of size, boasting an array of innovative features, including a significant reduction in sample volume of just 1.5-35 µl with a sample dead volume of 150 µl for standard and 100 µl for pediatric samples.
The RX daytona+ presents excellent functionality with easy to use Windows 10 based software, minimal maintenance and advanced QC capabilities generating Levey-Jennings charts, calibration curves and QC statistics all contributing to the increased precision, accuracy and reliability the RX series is famed for. As a performance advantage, the RX daytona+ provides laboratories with the ability to consolidate a wide variety of routine and specialized tests onto a single platform with excellent correlation to gold standard methodologies. Providing laboratories globally with efficiencies in time, money, ease of use, unrivalled uptime and superior technical support, the RX daytona+ is the most advanced and versatile clinical chemistry analyzer available.
Timothy Lenz – Regional Sales Manager USA
“The RX Daytona+ receiving FDA 510K clearance will provide a much-needed addition to the US clinical laboratory market. The RX Daytona+ serves the needs of lower throughput, moderate complexity labs, while still offering many of the features found on larger floor-standing analyzers – full automation, ability to process bar-coded samples in primary tubes, variable speed paddle mixers, and dedicated sample and reagent probes, all on a versatile platform with low operating costs and maintenance requirements. The high-quality construction of the RX Daytona+ ensures an incredibly reliable platform with the lowest downtime figures in its class. The wide testing menu of the RX Daytona+ allows labs to bring additional profitable testing in-house, so that results can be returned more quickly, and diagnoses/treatment plans formulated without delay. Randox is the only company that can truly provide a single-vendor solution for clinical chemistry testing – reliable analyzers, dedicated reagents, and third-party QC materials, all from the same provider.”
About Randox Laboratories
As a world leader in the in-vitro diagnostic industry with over 35 years’ experience, Randox is leading the charge in moving from a one-size-fits-all approach towards decisions, practices and products tailored to the needs of the individual. This innovative approach to diagnostics has facilitated the development of revolutionary products designed specifically to enhance a patients’ quality of life.
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit our RX page to learn more.
Related Products
RX misano
RX monaco
RX imola
RX modena
References
Overcoming the burden of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
The Prevalence
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death globally with more people dying annually from CVD than any other disease state. In 2018, according to the American Heart Association, CVD accounted for nearly 836,546 deaths in the USA (1) with over 17 million known deaths recorded worldwide. It is also proclaimed that around 1.5 million people globally die each year because of diabetes and diabetes related complications. (2) Is there a common link? Can this issue be controlled?
Studies have suggested that diabetes is one of the leading related conditions associated with increased risk of CVD death. A recent study undertaken in 2018 examined the association of many risk factors associated with CVD, the study was broken down by disease state with over 17,000 participants involved. The findings highlighted that 17.9% of these patients suffered from diabetes mellitus and death from a cardiovascular event. (3) Many other pilot and research studies discovered similar findings considering further risk factors such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and high triglycerides, obesity, lack of exercise and lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse. All of which are common with patients who suffer from diabetes, placing them at an increased risk of CVD.
Findings highlighted that over 68% of people aged over 65 living with diabetes die from some form of heart disease with 16% of individuals dying from an ischemic stroke. (4) The ability to tackle the prevalence of increased death from CVD and diagnosis of diabetes has become a global burden with the international diabetes federation projecting that 592 million people worldwide will have diabetes by 2035. (5)
Worldwide, the increase of diabetes is becoming an economic burden on the patient and healthcare systems mainly due to the direct costs of medical care and the indirect costs of moderated productivity, tied to diabetes and CVD related morbidity and mortality. Many scholars have highlighted economic burden as a primary attribute to both macrovascular and microvascular complications such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, retinopathy, end-stage renal disease and neuropathy. (6)
Overcoming the Burden
As CVD is the most prevalent cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with diabetes, effective treatment and analysis is required to control and decrease the number of CVD deaths across the globe. Tackling this issue head on, the Randox RX series introduce Direct HbA1c which refers to glycated haemoglobin which is a product of haemoglobin (a protein which can be found in red blood cells) and glucose from the blood making it glycated.
Testing for HbA1c provides an indication of what an individual’s average blood sugar level has been over recent weeks/months and is generally considered as an indicator of how well the patient is managing and controlling their diabetes. This is significant for those who suffer from diabetes because the higher the levels of HbA1c, the higher the chance of an individual suffering from further diabetes related issues, therefore testing for HbA1c improves the predictions of a CVD event occurring.
The Randox RX series have Direct HbA1c testing capabilities on the RX Daytona +, RX imola and RX modena. Our latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric method which the RX series utilises makes the test simple and quick to perform. The removal of the pre-dilution step removes the risk of human error compromising your results without the need for a separate HbA1c analyser.
Offering the world’s largest test menu, the RX series has an extensive range of cardiac, diabetes and lipid tests with excellent correlation to gold standard methodologies designed to allow laboratories to expand their testing capabilities onto one single platform, providing cost savings through consolidation.
References:
- American Heart Association. (2018). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2018 At-a-Glance.Available: https://www.heart.org/-/media/data-import/downloadables/heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics-2018—at-a-glance-ucm_498848.pdf. Last accessed 7th Feb 2019.
- World Heart Federation. (2017). Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) – Global facts and figures.Available: https://www.world-heart-federation.org/resources/cardiovascular-diseases-cvds-global-facts-figures/. Last accessed 7th Feb 2019.
- Gomadam, P et al, (2018). Blood pressure indices and cardiovascular disease mortality in persons with or without diabetes mellitus. Journal of Hypertension. 36 (1), 1-5.
- Heart attack and stroke symptoms. (2018). Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes.Available: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cardiovascular-disease–diabetes. Last accessed 7th Feb 2019.
- Aguiree F, Brown A, Cho NH, Dahlquist G, Dodd S, Dunning T, Hirst M, Hwang C, Magliano D, Patterson C. (2013) IDF Diabetes Atlas.
- Bahia LR, Araujo DV, Schaan BD, Dib SA, Negrato CA, Leão MP, Ramos AJ, Forti AC, Gomes MB, Foss MC, Monteiro RA, Sartorelli D, Franco LJ, Value Health. (2011), 137-40.
Why Choose the Randox RX series?
Why Choose the RX series?
Notorious for quality and reliability, the Randox RX series delivers on precision, reliability and accuracy, revolutionising patient testing in a variety of laboratory types including Clinical Laboratories, University & Research Institutes and Veterinary Laboratories.
The RX series is world renowned for delivering superior performance, our comprehensive test menu comprises over 113 clinical chemistry assays – 22 more than our nearest competitor. In addition to this we offer superior methodology for many assays with excellent correlation to gold standard methods. Our test menu is constanty expanding and currently covers routine chemistry, specific proteins, lipids, cardiac markers, therapeutic drugs, drugs of abuse, antioxidants and diabetes testing including direct HbA1c testing capabilities. Designed to meet the needs of your laboratory, our range of novel tests allow laboratories to expand their test menu without expanding their lab ultimately reducing costs, labour and the risk of error without the need for additional / specialised equipment.
With a versatile range of semi-automated and automated analysers, the RX series offers flexibility to suit the needs of all laboratory requirements. Built on the foundations of robust hardware and intuitive software, the RX series will reduce costly test re-runs and potential misdiagnosis. With minimal analyser downtime significant cost and time savings are a reality.
Our prominent reputation of providing laboratories with unrivalled customer and technical support across the globe surpasses that of any of our competitors complementing our extensive and world leading test menu. We pride ourselves in both the delivery and functionality of high quality clinical chemistry analysers, dedicated reagents and support ensuring accuracy and reliability in reporting patient results.
Offering the World’s Largest Clinical Chemistry Test Menu
Most recently the RX series welcomed the addition of Direct HbA1c to our testing panel, available to be run on the RX Daytona +, RX imola and RX modena. If you are interested in running your assays on a routine biochemistry analyser, Randox offers a large range of high quality routine and niche protein assays that can be run on most automated analysers.
Click to discover more about our world leading RX series Testing menu or contact us today @theRXseries to find out how we can improve your laboratories testing capabilities.
Choose from the RX misano, RX monaco, RX daytona+, RX imola and RX modena to start your journey with the RX series today.
The move from Nephelometry to Immunoturbidimetric Testing
Background
In clinical diagnostics, proteins are part of a wide range of biochemical markers used to identify health and disease in patient samples. Proteins play a key role in the human body, as they are involved in almost every process and can be associated to functions and regulatory pathways that are either signature for disease onset or a target for therapeutic intervention.
There are two main methods used to detect proteins in patient samples; nephelometry and immunoturbidimetry. Nephelometry although traditionally thought to be more sensitive can be expensive due to higher consumable costs. In addition to this nephelometers can be inefficient and are limited by their test menu. Immunoturbidimetric tests are an increasingly accepted alternative to nephelometry for specific protein assays, and studies have shown a close correlation between Randox immunoturbidimetric tests and nephelometry. This particularly lies with the latex enhanced immunoturbidimetry methodology utilised by Randox.
Why the RX series?
Renowned for quality and reliability, the RX series excels in clinical testing combining robust hardware, intuitive software and a world leading test menu featuring routine and novel high performing reagents.
Running specific protein tests on the RX series provides laboratories with a wide range of advantages. The move from nephelometric testing to immunoturbidimetric lowers laboratory costs as nephelometry requires the use of dedicated instruments which are much slower, have higher consumable costs and require highly trained personnel, with the disadvantage of not being able to perform any other type of assay on a single platform.
The RX series improves laboratory efficiencies not just saving costs but also time. Our range of routine clinical chemistry analysers provide users with flexibility and versatility through consolidation of testing onto one single platform.
High Performing and Unique Testing Menu
The RX series of specific protein assays assist in the diagnosis and evaluation of various conditions each with excellent sensitivity and limited inference levels. Randox manufacture immunoturbidimetric kits for the study of a wide range of specific proteins including unique products such as Apolipoprotein C-II, Apolipoprotein C-III, Apolipoprotein E, Cystatin C and Microalbumin.
Most recently the RX series welcomed the addition of Direct HbA1c to our testing panel, available to be run on the RX Daytona +, RX imola and RX modena. If you are interested in running your protein assays on a routine biochemistry analyser, Randox offers a large range of high quality routine and niche protein assays that can be run on most automated analysers.
Click to discover more about our world leading RX series Testing menu or contact us today @theRXseries to find out how we can improve your laboratories testing capabilities.
No connection between whistle-blower RTS and the now-defunct Trimega Laboratories
RTS, the whistle-blower which exposed alleged data manipulation in the forensics industry, would like to highlight to our customers and clients that there is no connection between it and the now-defunct Trimega Laboratories.
Trimega went into administration in April 2014. The administrators were KPMG.
RTS purchased some laboratory equipment from KPMG and moved onto the vacant laboratory premises in Manchester. RTS did not take-over Trimega’s business or order book. In contrast to Trimega which was wholly engaged in testing for family law, RTS was significantly engaged in criminal law, only taking on a minimal number of family law cases.
A small number of former Trimega staff were employed by RTS. Two of these former Trimega workers were dismissed by RTS after the alleged data manipulation was uncovered and reported.
Since acting as whistle-blower, RTS has fully supported the police investigation. At the NPCC media briefing on November 21st 2017, the NPCC publicly acknowledged this support and said RTS was “reputable, professional and responsible.”
The authorities have concluded the prioritising of all RTS cases for re-testing, including forensic and family law, and the process is underway. RTS is managing this at appropriately accredited external laboratories and is covering the necessary costs. To date all priority one and two re-testing not resulted in any criminal case being overturned. All affected parties have been kept informed of the process.
On November 21st 2017, the UK Government revealed that an official investigation into alleged data manipulation at Trimega between 2010 – 2014 was underway.
RTS cannot comment on the scale or timetable for re-testing of family law results provided by Trimega. The government has requested that the public self-report if Trimega was involved in their case as poor record-keeping by the laboratory means the number of Trimega customers and identities may never be known.
RTS has no responsibility for any alleged data manipulation which occurred at Trimega.
Randox Testing Services (RTS) are the whistleblower and initiated the police forensic investigation. RTS support to police ongoing.
- RTS is the whistle-blower in this issue of forensic manipulation.
- In January 2017, RTS investigated an anomaly in a forensic report, identified manipulation of quality control data and immediately reported this to the police, accreditation agency and the forensic science regulator.
- This activity had not been identified in numerous external audits by the accreditation agency, other forensic science providers, or by defence experts in numerous cases.
- RTS are working with Greater Manchester Police, the Forensic Service Regulator and the Home Office to resolve the situation. The investigation now dates beyond RTS to laboratories which are unconnected to it. However, it was RTS action that identified this activity.
- RTS remain actively engaged with all the appropriate agencies to resolve the outstanding issues and are committed to supporting the criminal justice system.
- RTS is currently managing the process of retesting samples at appropriately accredited laboratories, as well as covering the associated costs.
- Two former employees remain on police bail. All appropriate pre-employment checks were conducted.
- RTS are new to the forensic science industry. The majority of staff were employed with experience from elsewhere in the forensic science industry, from both the public and private sectors.
- In light of these circumstance RTS volunteered and agreed to the suspension of the related forensic accreditation in RTS laboratories only. All other Randox laboratories are unaffected.
We Are Randox | Randox employees put the ‘fun’ in fundraising!
Randox employees put the ‘fun’ in fundraising last Friday with a water balloon fundraiser in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support!
Randox employee, Gary Laverty, initiated this fantastic fundraising event and allowed colleagues to throw water balloons at him in efforts to raise money for this worthy charity. Raising an impressive £409.38 for the charity, Gary spoke of great admiration for Macmillan;
“When my father was ill last year, Macmillan offered tremendous support to both him and my family. Their commitment to helping cancer patients is incredible, really life-changing. I debated a few fundraising ideas but thought that the water balloon idea was something unusual so I hoped people would see it as a really fun event. The fundraiser went really well and I am delighted at the amount we raised for such an amazing charity! My colleagues got really involved and it was a really fun event, thankfully it wasn’t too cold on the day!”
The Macmillan Cancer Support charity aim to improve the lives of everyone living with cancer. They are committed to ensuring no one faces cancer alone by offering support and assistance right from the beginning of a diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, including support to the wider family circle.
We were delighted to welcome Margaret Young from Macmillan to Randox HQ in Crumlin yesterday to present a cheque from Gary’s tremendous fundraising efforts;
“We were absolutely delighted to hear of the water balloon fundraiser and hope that Gary and all the staff at Randox enjoyed themselves. Thank you to all those who took part and donated, especially to Gary!”
Well done Gary!
