More than 1.7 million diabetes test strips could be affected by a manufacturing fault and give inaccurate readings, the MHRA has warned.

The GlucoMen LX Sensor blood glucose test strips, which are used with the GlucoMen LX and GlucoMen LX Plus blood glucose meters, could overestimate the amount of insulin a patient needs to take, the medicines watchdog said yesterday (August 14).

The strips in the affected lots were sold to UK pharmacies between October and November 2012. Although the fault has been resolved and there was no evidence that any patients in the UK have been affected, some of the unused faulty strips may still be in people's homes, the MHRA said.

The affected lots are 3212219249 and 3212214249, which both have the expiry date of August 31, 2014 and are manufactured by Menarini in Italy.

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	Patients with the affected strips should contact Menarini on 0800 243667, which will provide free replacements. Patients can also contact their GP, diabetes clinic or other healthcare professionals for advice about alternative test strips, the MHRA said.