Celebrating World Hepatitis Day 2022!
Celebrating World Hepatitis Day 2022!
Hepatitis is a condition that affects the liver and can be caused by an infection with a virus. With five different types of Hepatitis from A to E, the most common types of viral Hepatitis are A, B and C. These three viruses affect millions of people worldwide, causing both short-term illnesses and long-term liver disease.
World Hepatitis Day highlights the need to accelerate the fight against viral hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment for those in need. The “I can’t wait” campaign brought to us by World Hepatitis Alliance, amplifies the voices of those affected demanding immediate action and the end of the stigma and discrimination attached.
Currently there are 325 million people who live with hepatitis globally with more than 1.1 million lives lost to hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
It is important to note that the use of appropriate quality control measures is vital in ensuring the appropriate daily performance of the assay used in the laboratory independent of the technology.
Features & Benefits of Randox Molecular Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Controls
- Traceable to International Standard (where available) or to Internal Reference Material
- Liquid frozen for user convenience and ease of use
- The panels are suitable for use with the majority of commercial and in-house molecular methods
- Manufactured to ISO: 13485 quality standards
Download brochure here
In addition to this, we have our third party Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls which are designed to deliver a cost-effective, high-quality solution for the analysis of infectious disease. Our controls are compatible for use on wide range of immunoassay platforms.
Features and Benefits
- Liquid ready to use – All samples are provided in a user-friendly, liquid ready-to-use format significantly reducing preparation time and the risk of pipetting errors.
- Commutability- Manufactured from human plasma each control is designed to react to the test system in the same manner as the patient sample, helping to meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements.
- True third-party controls – Designed to deliver an independent, unbiased assessment of performance with any instrument or method the Acusera range will help to meet ISO 15189:2012 requirements and eliminate the need for multiple instrument specific controls.
- Reduced waste – With a working stability of 60 days art 2oc to 8oC waste and costs are kept to a minimum.
- Consolidation – The availability of multi-marker controls will reduce the number of individual controls required ultimately reducing costs, time, and storage space.
- Clinically relevant – Designed to challenge clinically relevant ranges our low reactive samples will ensure accurate and reliable instrument performance.
- Acusera 24.7 – Our Acusera Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls are compatible for use with our interlaboratory data management software Acusera 24.7.
For more information about Third party Infectious Disease (Serology) Controls:
Visit our website: Serology Quality Controls
Or email: qualitycontrol@randox.com
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Global Leaders combine to provide pre-race COVID testing of UAE Team Emirates
Monday 28th March 2022: Global Leaders combine to provide pre-race COVID testing of UAE Team Emirates
Randox, a world leader in Health Diagnostics has been announced as the Official Supplier of UAE Team Emirates. The two-time winners of cycling’s most prestigious prize, the Tour de France.
The agreement will see UAE Team Emirates utilise the Vivalytic, a point of care platform brought to the market by Randox Laboratories and Bosch Healthcare Solutions to test riders and the wider support staff for COVID prior to upcoming races and tours.
The Bosch Vivalytic brings innovation to the Molecular Diagnostic testing market. A fully automated, sample to point of care diagnostic machine with the full molecular workflow consolidated into one small benchtop platform.
The ethos of improving healthcare which drove Randox Managing Director Dr Peter Fitzgerald to start the company in the 1980s is clearly reciprocated by their new partners. From their initiation into the top tier of professional cycling in 2017, UAE Team Emirates have had the aim of representing an entire nation, the UAE, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through cycling.
Team UAE Emirates are the newest addition to Randox’s growing portfolio of elite sporting sponsorships, which includes; GB Olympic and Paralympic teams, Sheffield United Football Club, Olimpia Milano and the Aintree Randox Grand National. The first endeavour into the United Arab Emirates sporting industry comes as no surprise as Randox have been providing UAE Hospitals, Universities and Veterinary centres with their broad range of products and services, offering a comprehensive insight into patient diagnosis to facilitate more effective disease management and treatment for a number of years.
Giulio Saule, Randox International Sales Manager stated:
“For a Global Company such as Randox it is an honour to be supplier of COVID tests to UAE Team Emirates, a team that in both 2020 and 2021 won the Tour de France and ended in the top 5 of the UCI Teams Ranking. The effort of the team in talents looks exactly the same as Randox effort in bringing innovative technologies on the market. This cooperation then brings Randox in one of the elite sports where surely there may be different horizons than COVID.”
Andrea Agostini, chief operating officer UAE Team Emirates stated:
We have paid a lot of attention against this virus since the beginning. For us the health of our members is a priority and to have the possibility to test them always, autonomously, during the cycling season is a big advantage.
About Team UAE
UAE Team Emirates entered the highest level of professional cycling, the World Tour, in early 2017. The team has the aim of representing an entire nation, the UAE, and promoting a healthy lifestyle linked to the use of the bicycle.
Season after season, the Emirati team has attracted a growing number of world-class riders and quality sponsors, taking them to new heights and successes in the biggest races in the world. The culmination of this growth and success has come with the victories of Tadej Pogacar in the Tour de France in 2020 and 2021.
For further information please contact James Crilly; james.crilly@randox.com / 028 9442 2413
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We Are Randox | Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2022 with Kane McIlroy
Did you know that 7th – 11th February 2022 marks Apprenticeship Week in Northern Ireland?
The initiative from the Department for the Economy offers an opportunity through a dedicated week of events and promotional activity to demonstrate how apprenticeships work for individuals, business, communities and the wider economy.
To mark the week, we spoke to one of our Randox apprentices, Kane McIlroy, to find out more about his role, what he enjoys about the apprenticeship, and his advice for young people considering a career in software engineering.
Name: Kane McIlroy
Job: Software Engineering Apprentice
Department: Randox Engineering
Kane, what are the main duties of your role?
My current role is a Software Developer in the Randox Engineering R&D department. I have a keen interest in software development and in my role, I have had the opportunity to use various programming techniques. I work as part of a software team in which I write code and collaborate with others to create intuitive, responsive applications that allow users to interact with the Randox testing machines.
What and where you studied and why you chose the apprenticeship route?
I am enrolled in a Higher-level Apprenticeship with the Northern Regional College in Ballymena, where I am studying a foundation degree in Computer Science alongside my work at Randox. At Cambridge House Grammar School I studied Technology and Design for A-Level and it was during this time that I became very interested in IT. My interest in technology led me to work in Curry’s Electrical Retail Store where I was very often placed in the computer department due to my interest. I was trained in the shop’s range of hardware, software, equipment, and products. The Apprenticeship with Randox also gives me the opportunity to earn while I am still learning which is great. It means I have no student debt which is such a bonus!
What top three things you love about your job?
- As a Software Developer writing code, you will often be faced with bugs that need fixed. I really enjoy coding and the problem-solving that is involved in trying different ideas to implement the most efficient solution.
- I have had the opportunity to work on very exciting projects for a range of different Randox machines. Many of these have involved robotics, which are fascinating to work with as they allow me to implement code that instructs the machines to perform specific physical actions.
- Working in a diverse and experienced engineering team gives me the opportunity to continuously learn and challenge myself and this drives me to learn new coding skills.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship route?
I would recommend the apprenticeship route as it is a fantastic opportunity to work, learn, and earn, all at the same time. You will get hands-on experience in a real job without having to give up your education. Financially an apprenticeship has great benefits as it provides a fully funded education without the burden of student loans. You gain experience that employers want, which will help with your future career. You also learn directly from experienced individuals working in your chosen industry and have access to their support, which helps you gain the skills and knowledge you require to achieve your goals. If the apprenticeship role is something you’re interested in and are passionate about, I would highly recommend it as an excellent career path!
We are delighted to have Kane with us at Randox as part of our Apprenticeship Scheme.
For more We Are Randox stories about our amazing colleagues, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and follow the hashtag #WeAreRandox.
For further information about Apprenticeships at Randox please email RandoxPR@randox.com or phone 028 9442 2413.
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Response to release of specified minutes, notes and correspondence relating to Government contracts awarded to Randox
4th February 2022: Response to release of specified minutes, notes and correspondence relating to Government contracts awarded to Randox
A spokesperson for Randox said:
“It is clear from these papers that Randox contracts were awarded in full compliance with government procedures and protocols in place at a time of the emerging pandemic.
“The awarding of the contracts reflected Randox’s extensive diagnostics capabilities within the UK and 40 years of experience in that field. As Secretary of State, Sajid Javid says in his statement, the service Randox provided was integral to the rapid building, from scratch, of the largest ever testing industry in UK history.
“Randox’s laboratories expanded rapidly in order to operate at scale and were the first laboratory to report over 100,000 PCR results in a day. It is clear from these papers that the company has delivered a vital and core part of the UK’s testing capacity.
“Randox remains proud of its performance and delivery of Covid 19 testing throughout the pandemic. To date Randox has reported almost 24 million PCR results and has played a key role in both keeping people safe and sustaining vital national infrastructure.
“Unlike other laboratories Randox was able from the outset to provide whole-system capabilities to deliver the tests. Both the World Health Organisation and the UK government agreed this capability was crucial to combating the pandemic.”
For all media enquiries, please contact Ian Monk on ian@ianmonk.com or +44 7970 026072 / + 44 203 011 1933
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2 years on…since the development of the Randox COVID-19 Biochip
Wednesday 02 February 2022: 2 years since the Randox COVID-19 Biochip
February 2022 marks 2 years since the development of the Randox COVID-19 Biochip.
In February 2020, based on almost four decades of experience in diagnostic R&D, including the development of a CE marked panel of tests for fifteen respiratory viruses, as well as tests for SARS and MERS, Randox recognised the threat from COVID-19 and quickly developed a test to accurately identify the virus.
And a lot has happened since then…
Randox’s capability was recognised by the UK government and since March 2020 Randox has been contracted to provide COVID-19 testing support to the UK’s Pillar 2 National Testing Programme. The company immediately pivoted to move from a 9-5 business to a 24|7 operation.
Through the enormous effort and commitment of its staff Randox has (at the time of writing) processed more than 23 million gold-standard PCR tests for the National Testing Programme and for international travel – providing a reliable service to enable COVID-safe travel which facilitates personal, family and business engagements and activities during the pandemic.
Demonstrating its commitment to helping people live their lives as easily and normally as possible, and to enhance accessibility to travel testing, the company partnered with major airlines including British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Cathay Pacific, and Jet2, travel providers such as TUI, and travel agents including the DNATA Travel Group, to provide discounted travel tests. By investing in testing capacity, logistic capabilities, and the introduction of a dedicated Customer Support team, Randox could make greater efficiencies that allowed it to reduce the price of PCR testing and become the most competitive service in the UK and Ireland.
During the 2020 Olympic Games, Randox got Team GB safely to the starting line in Tokyo by providing the Olympians with its premium COVID-19 testing, a service which it also provided for the ParalympicsGB athletes. A number of other sporting organisations opted to make Randox their COVID-19 testing provider of choice for their players and supporting staff, including the Irish Football Association, the US Men’s National Soccer Team, and Premiership Rugby, to ensure a COVID-safe training environment. Using Randox diagnostic technologies, companies like Norbrook Laboratories and Northern Ireland Screen were able to implement a staff screening programme that demonstrated a high standard of duty of care to their employees.
As and when required, Randox rapidly established new customer-focused services catered to the needs of the ever-changing travel testing guidelines. In May 2021, for example, Randox launched a ‘test to return’ service for UK holidaymakers returning home from Portugal and requiring predeparture tests before their return flight. In a first for the industry, passengers were able to take their PCR kit to Portugal and return their sample to one of Randox’s partner labs in the Algarve, before Randox flew the samples back to its labs in the UK for testing.
The company also provides tests for COVID-19 antibodies, as well as lateral flow testing services, where such tests satisfy international travel requirements, and has developed an innovative phone app to securely process and verify customer identification and results in just 15 minutes.
Randox has amongst the very largest laboratories in Europe and since the start of the pandemic has built, equipped and staffed 80,000 sq ft of PCR testing facilities, in Northern Ireland, Manchester and Greater London, and 50,000 sq ft of supporting logistic and engineering space. Randox has opened a number of mobile testing labs as well as almost 30 travel clinics, for COVID-19 testing appointments and over-the-counter home testing kit purchases. Walk-through and drive-through test centres have opened across a number of key airport locations, some in partnership with renowned travel services provider Collinson.
Randox is the only testing provider in the UK within this reporting period to have reported over 100,000 PCR results in a single day. Turnaround times for test results are rigorously monitored to meet the needs of both Government and private customers.
The company has more than doubled its workforce since 2020 and has developed a robust and comprehensive nationwide logistics network for the timely distribution and return of sample collection kits and samples. In collaboration with reputable partners including Morrisons supermarkets, Wells Pharmacies, Roadchef and PayPoint, Randox has established almost 200 PCR sample dropboxes and over 1500 click and collect sites, with the aim of improving customer accessibility and simplifying the process of COVID-19 testing requirements.
By responding rapidly, dynamically and cost-effectively to an ever-changing environment, with updates to travel testing requirements often being made at short notice, Randox has played an important role in managing the effects of the pandemic in both the UK and Ireland, facilitating safe social and economic activity, including international travel.
For further information on Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on 028 9434 3005.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: randoxpr@randox.com
Want to know more?
Contact us or visit Randox Health.
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Randox provides Team GB’s COVID testing for Beijing Winter Olympic Games
Tuesday 01 February 2022
Gold standard testing for Great Britain’s Olympians: Randox provides Team GB’s COVID-19 testing for Beijing Winter Olympic Games
As part of the two-year partnership between Randox and The British Olympic Association, the Team GB Olympians competing in the Olympic Winter Games 2022 have used Randox COVID-19 tests to ensure they touch down in Beijing free of COVID and have the best possibility opportunity to compete without the fear of being ruled out on health grounds.
The ‘stop the virus’ logistics drive mirrors a similar and highly successful regime which ensured that Team GB landed in Japan for the 2020 Olympic Games COVID-free, and that no athlete was forced to withdraw in Tokyo because of infection or close contact with someone who had tested positive.
Despite fears that the virus could impact Team GB’s Olympic hopes, the rigorous testing programme put in place helped UK sporting stars to rack up 54 medals – their best-ever performance at an overseas Games bar the 67 medals won in Rio in 2016.
To provide its gold-standard PCR testing services, Randox created a bespoke dashboard for Team GB to register its samples, which will be taken by the Team GB Clinical Team and then transported to the company’s laboratories which are located in Manchester, Greater London and Northern Ireland.
Randox is testing a delegation of 200 Olympians, coaches and support staff in order to meet China’s testing requirements and thereby minimising possible transmission of the virus in Beijing. Randox is providing each member of Team GB with four rounds of pre-departure tests and can offer rapid same-day testing on the day of flying as an extra precaution.
At the time of the announcement of the partnership between Randox and the British Olympic Association, in June 2021, Randox Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald, said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Team GB by helping them get safely to the starting line in Tokyo with our premium Covid-19 testing services, the provision of which has been a major focus of ours since the outbreak of the pandemic. Over the last year, we have been investing significantly in our customer service and testing capacity, which means Randox can now process over 500,000 tests per day, making it the largest laboratory in Europe, and to date has processed over 13 (now 23) million tests. For this reason, our Olympians and anyone else who needs to travel internationally can rest assured that they will receive timely results.”
British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said:
“This is a fantastic and vital partnership for Team GB ahead of Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022. We have committed to our hosts in Japan and the IOC to ensure that our delegation is fully vaccinated and are also ensuring we have enhanced Covid testing in place. Randox’s pedigree in this area gives us great confidence that we are providing athletes with the best possible medical support around Covid testing and that they get to the start line safely ready to compete successfully for the biggest moment of their sporting careers.”
Randox, with almost 40 years of international diagnostics experience, has been at the forefront of COVID-19 testing since the outset of the pandemic. With proven testing capability and well-established logistics and customer support services, Randox are strongly placed to allow international travellers to travel with confidence.
Pictured with a Randox COVID-19 Predeparture Test is English freestyle skier Katie Summerhayes
For further information on Covid testing services please contact the Randox Covid Customer Support team on 028 9434 3005.
For press enquiries please contact Amy Millar in the Randox PR team: randoxpr@randox.com
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Randox sponsors Science Summer School Northern Ireland
Monday 31st January 2022: Randox sponsors Science Summer School Northern Ireland
An official launch for Science Summer School Northern Ireland 2022 has taken place at the Ryobi headquarters in Carrickfergus.
Ryobi are the headline sponsor of the Science Summer School Northern Ireland event, which aims to inspire young people to become the next generation of scientists with an inspirational programme that mixes the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) through a series of seminars, discussions and hands-on experiments.
On Friday, the Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Lord Andrew Mawson OBE, Richard Mallett, and representatives from the other main sponsors, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Randox, Almac, NRC and IPC Mouldings all gathered in Carrickfergus to officially launch the event which will take place later this year.
The Science Summer School initiative was established in 2012 at St. Paul’s Way Trust School in East London by Lord Andrew Mawson OBE and Professor Brian Cox CBE. The project is now expanding nationally with the aim to make ‘the UK the best place to do science and engineering in the world’.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Matthew Armstrong, said:
“Council’s Manufacturing Task Force are delighted to be working with a range of local businesses, schools, universities and partner organisations to bring this exciting opportunity to the borough.
“We are thrilled that this event is now going accessible to young people in Mid and East Antrim.
“Our hope is that they will be inspired to embark on a future in science and maybe even become leaders in that field.”
Managing Director of Ryobi, Marco Emig, said:
“Ryobi are delighted to be the headline sponsor of this event.
“Science and the desire to learn more about how our world works, and about how we can use that information to improve how we live our lives, has never been more attractive or relevant as a subject area and a potential career path.
“We are very much looking forward to seeing the creative ideas generated from our young people.”
Lord Mawson OBE said:
“The Science Summer School initiative here in Northern Ireland will activate the curiosities of the young people who take part and hopefully inspire them to great things.
“This annual celebratory event and the allied programme of STEAM related activity throughout the year provides a vital catalyst to bring together different partners from education and enterprise. I am delighted to see so many companies have ‘signed up’ to support our first event this year.
“There is never a better time to be bringing the Science School Northern Ireland hosted by Professor Cox to Ballymena.”
For further information please contact randoxpr@randox.com
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Randox and PayPoint partner to boost accessibility of Day 2 lateral flow tests
The updated collaboration opens up PayPoint’s extensive retail network to offer increased convenience to travellers returning to the UK
Randox and PayPoint have today announced an expansion of their partnership, to boost access to COVID-19 testing and provide a vital service to travellers returning to the UK, in line with the Government’s new arrival requirements for Day 2 testing, announced on Wednesday 5th January.
The expanded partnership between PayPoint and Randox will mean even easier access to low-cost COVID-19 testing, by enabling people to order a Randox test online for click and collect at a local store within the Collect+ network, initially available in over 5,000 locations, and soon in over 10,000 locations nationwide.
The service launches on 7th January 2022 to coincide with changes to travel policy which, from 4am on 9th January, allows fully vaccinated arrivals from non-red list countries to take a lateral flow (antigen) test, with a PCR test only required if a positive lateral flow result is returned.
In addition, from mid-January, PayPoint will give consumers the ability to walk into a local store and pick up a test immediately in over 2,500 locations, with no need to order online. This service will be offered in partnership with major convenience retailers including Scotmid Co-operative and Spar in the North West and Scotland.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director at Randox said: “By drawing on our 40 years’ diagnostics experience, unparalleled testing capacity, and well-established logistics network, which now includes an extensive number of new locations from PayPoint, Randox is able to respond quickly to changing travel requirements and simplify the process of ordering Day 2 lateral flow tests.
“The availability of value for money tests that can be collected at the customer’s convenience thanks to our partnership with PayPoint means people in the UK don’t need to wait for home delivery or a walk-in clinic appointment when ordering a COVID-19 test.”
Nick Wiles, Chief Executive at PayPoint said: “Our expanded partnership with Randox will deliver yet another vital service to help keep people safe in communities across the UK. Consumer convenience and accessibility are at the very heart of what we do and this is another example of our agility, responsiveness and the great relationships we have with our retailer partners in the ever-changing landscape across the UK.”
Day 2 lateral flow tests must be ordered before travel to England and can be ordered from 4am on 7th January. Thanks to the updated collaboration between PayPoint and Randox, people can now conveniently collect these tests from local stores for just £18.95, rather than waiting at home for deliveries to arrive.
Using the free Randox CertiFly App results are processed within 3 hours and a report delivered in-app and via email, allowing arrivals into England to complete their Day 2 test conveniently in the comfort of their own home, and for individuals who test positive, potentially reducing the amount of time they need to isolate.
Visit covid.randox.com to purchase COVID-19 tests from Randox Health.
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Further expansion at Randox labs with immediate start vacancies available
Further expansion at Randox COVID labs with recruitment drive for new staff
Randox Laboratories is hiring more new staff in support of its COVID-19 testing operations at the Randox Science Park in Antrim.
The healthcare diagnostics company has significantly increased its workforce since the beginning of the pandemic and continues to recruit to enhance its laboratory capacity within the UK’s National COVID-19 Testing Programme, and for those requiring PCR testing before travel.
Vacancies are available across science, accessioning, manufacturing and customer support.
Dr Peter FitzGerald, Managing Director of Randox Laboratories, commented;
“With our headquarters in the Randox Science Park in County Antrim, we are fortunate to benefit from Northern Ireland’s incredible talent pool across a variety of disciplines, and so many have already responded to our call for support in fighting the coronavirus.
“Our staff have risen to the challenge this pandemic has created, been incredibly resourceful and flexible, and pulled together as a team to make an impact in the fight against COVID-19. They are our best asset and we are very proud of their efforts.”
Last month Randox reached a significant testing milestone, with 21 million tests completed since its testing began.
Thanks to significant private investment, Randox’s testing capacity, which in March 2020 was just 150 tests per day, has now increased to 180,000 daily PCR tests, the same number as at the height of the pandemic.
Dr FitzGerald continued;
“The completion of over 21 million gold-standard PCR tests is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff.
“We continue to play a vital role in the national network of testing, which is of critical importance and remains a key part of the response to COVID-19 – not only to identify outbreaks, isolate cases and prevent further spread, but also to assist with a return to social and economic normality.”
Anyone interested in joining Randox’s COVID-19 Testing Programme should apply at https://randox.getgotjobs.co.uk/
Job roles available include:
- Laboratory Analysts
- Sample Processing Operatives
- Laboratory Support
- Customer Support Advisors
- Manufacturing Technicians
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Randox welcomes CMA moves to safeguard consumer interests around PCR testing
3rd December 2021
Randox Statement: Randox welcomes CMA moves to safeguard consumer interests around PCR testing
Responding to today’s announcement by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), a spokesman for Randox said:
“We welcome the role played by the CMA, with our full co-operation, in ensuring that consumers continue to get a fair deal during the Covid emergency.
“Randox has been happy to engage fully with the CMA from the outset to ensure in the interests of its customers while the company delivers millions of Covid-19 PCR tests to facilitate vital international travel against the changing requirements of governments.
“As the industry leader, Randox has been in the ideal position to both review the services required to support the international traveller and provide a consumer-industry standard of Terms and Conditions. These have, of necessity, evolved over time.
“In working with the CMA, Randox’s aim has been to ensure absolute fairness whilst building and providing critical services in a highly volatile and demanding environment.”
Additional Information
Randox has today welcomed engagement with the CMA to optimise Covid-19 PCR testing support for international travel whilst ensuring the sustainability of critical national services.
As the industry leader Randox has been in the ideal position to both review the services required to support the international traveller, and provide a consumer-industry standard of Terms and Conditions, which have evolved over time. In working with the CMA Randox’s aim has been to ensure absolute fairness whilst building and providing critical services in a highly volatile and demanding environment.
“Both industry and the travelling public have faced significant pressures in enabling international travel,” said a spokesperson. “From an industry perspective Government required immediate and large scale investment to establish validated end-to-end testing services, supported by nationwide logistics, with fully secure reporting to both individuals and Government. Yet there were no contracts, no expected duration for services and the requirement was based on a single product – Covid-19 PCR testing. It was also evident that Government would remove the requirement for such testing as soon as practicable and would not provide any further support.”
The spokesperson went on; “At the same time as requiring significant investment and a rapid response from industry, Government retained the right to alter demand on an almost daily basis and did so frequently by moving countries between the green, amber and red lists with no notice. Government subsequently removed the country lists entirely and effectively closed the requirements for international travel PCRs by moving to lateral flow devices in October – only months after establishing services.” The decision by the Prime Minister to reintroduce PCR testing at very short notice this week, without prior notice to industry, further illustrates the challenges faced.
It had also been clear that the public were faced with highly variable pricing by a number of suppliers – some advertising low prices, but which were only available in very limited circumstances – something Grant Shapps asked the CMA to review. “From the very start Randox committed to highly competitive and transparent pricing which was available across the nation,” said the spokesperson. “Our home testing kits are available at an all inclusive price of £43 with a click and collect service at £34.99 – we know that these represent excellent value for money.”
Randox’s engagement with the CMA has provided the ability to review consumer-industry terms and conditions in the light of very hard won experience. “We do hope that other providers will consider our terms and conditions,” said the spokesperson, “and we know that the CMA will provide further guidance where required.”
The spokesperson went on; “We at Randox are very proud of what we have achieved in very demanding and volatile circumstances. We have built and sustained a reliable and cost effective service to enable international travel – meeting critical business needs and ensuring friends and families can continue to meet. We are committed to providing this service for as long as Government requires.”
For all media enquiries, please contact Ian Monk on ian@ianmonk.com or +44 7970 026072 / + 44 203 011 1933