Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co. Ltd payment information: FOI release

Information requested

1. Is the new lateral flow test by Orient Gene the same test on this link https://theppeonlineshop.co.uk/pdfs/Healgen-covid-tests-instructions.pdf manufactured by Healgen Scientific, "a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co.,Ltd" (https://www.healgen.com/about) or is it a different test? If so, please provide details.

2. Provide details of total payments made to date by Scottish Government to Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co.,Ltd for purchase of these tests, and total planned future payments.

3. Provide location and company details of which Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co.,Ltd ScotGov is dealing with (ie, China or UK office, etc)? They have a few different companies around the world.

Response

Response to requests 1 & 3

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

It may be helpful to note that the Scottish Government does not procure COVID lateral flow devices directly, they are procured by the UK Government. More information on the process can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessment-and-procurement-of-coronavirus-covid-19-tests/protocol-for-evaluation-of-rapid-diagnostic-assays-for-specific-sars-cov-2-antigens-lateral-flowdevices.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

Response to request 2

In this instance, I can confirm that no payments have been made by the Scottish Government to Zhejiang Orient Gene Biotech Co. Ltd for the purchase of these lateral flow test kits, and that there are no future payments planned.

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