Anthrax test kits
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Columbus, Ohio-based Toxicology Associates is barred from selling, advertising anthrax nasal swab test kits to Pennsylvania residents under a state court judge's Nov. 18 order. Firm, which sells the $65 kits through its Web site, 1toxassociates.com, also must pay restitution to commonwealth consumers who purchased the anthrax test kits and request a refund through AG's office by Feb. 13, and must pay $5,000 in civil penalties, $2,265 in litigation costs. In an April complaint, AG alleged company violated Unfair Trade Practices & Consumer Protection Law by representing that its tests can determine whether consumers have contracted anthrax. Commonwealth points to CDC guidelines that state nasal swab cultures should not be used to diagnose anthrax; AG also notes firm is not a federally certified facility that can positively confirm presence of anthrax. Company did not file an answer to the lawsuit, AG's office says...