DOH studying use of antigen self-test kits | Inquirer News

DOH studying use of antigen self-test kits

/ 08:42 AM January 05, 2022

Kits used to test for Covid-19 coronavirus are displayed in a vending machine at an MTR underground metro train station in Hong Kong on December 7, 2020. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Kits used to test for COVID-19 coronavirus are displayed in a vending machine at an MTR underground metro train station in Hong Kong on December 7, 2020. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is studying whether to recommend the use of antigen self-test kits to detect COVID-19, Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said Wednesday.

“Pinagaaralan po ‘yan [We are studying that],” Vergeire said in an interview over Teleradyo when asked if the DOH will recommend self-testing using antigen kits.

Article continues after this advertisement

According to Vergeire, the DOH met with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and its experts.

FEATURED STORIES

“Kailangan lang ho nating masiguro na wala tayong misuse of the self-test antigen dahil alam naman po natin na meron po tayong tinatawag na right test at the right time at appropriate use,” she said.

(We just need to ensure that there is no misuse of the self-test antigen because we should use the right test at the right time, there should be appropriate use.)

Article continues after this advertisement

“Pinagaaralan po kung paano po natin maisasagawa na hindi naman po magkakaroon ng inaccurate results ang ating mga kababayan,” she added.

Article continues after this advertisement

(We are studying how we can use this in a way that there would be no inaccurate results.)

Article continues after this advertisement

“Ang isa pa ho, kailangan din lang ng FDA na magkaroon ng isang rehistrado or rehistrado na mga self-test antigen test kits sa ating bansa,” she further said.

(Another thing, the FDA would need to register self-test antigen test kits in our country.)

Article continues after this advertisement

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong recently pushed for the use of antigen self-test kits in the city to speed up the detection of COVID-19 cases amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

“Our city could be the pilot site for these do-it-yourself testing kits that are widely used in the US, Canada, Europe, and Singapore,” Magalong said in a previous statement.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The mayor said he will also seek the approval of the National Task Force for COVID-19 through Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

EDV
TAGS: antigen kits, DoH

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.