MONTREAL — It’s difficult to spend less than five minutes inside any dollar store in Montreal.
In most shops, you’ll find pretty much everything you need at a fraction of the price. From espresso coffee to bathroom slippers, all for about a buck.
For about two dollars, you’ll also find home pregnancy tests.
While it may be a deal compared to pharmacy prices, officials at Health Canada are warning consumers that some of the medical kits sold in discount stores are not licenced by the government agency.
Global News conducted an investigation on Tuesday, visiting three Montreal-area dollar stores.
According to the Health Canada website, two of the three products we purchased were unapproved for sale in Canada.
“That’s very scary.”
“You want to make sure the product is approved by Health Canada,” said McGill University Health Centre emergency room physician Dr. Mitch Shulman.
“Health Canada makes sure the products will work in a consistent manner.”
In fact, oe of the two unapproved products had the words “Health Canada Licensed” printed on the front of the box.
Twenty-five-year-old Sabrina Di Nezza told Global News she is angered by news that unapproved home pregnancy tests are being sold close to her home.
“I feel it’s important, it’s a big deal, women rely on this,” said Di Nezza.
“How can you trust something that is not government approved?”
A spokesperson with Health Canada told Global News the agency plans to investigate the Montreal dollar stores at the centre of the investigation.
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