ABS-CBN
Commercially available COVID-19 test kits not to be used at home: DOH
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved eight novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) test kit products for commercial use.
Two of the approved kits are from Korea and two are from China.
The FDA has not yet approved any point-of-care or rapid test kits for COVID-19.
These approved kits are PCR-based reagent kits intended for use by hospitals or laboratories with testing capacity, not for point-of-care or home use.
The four products have complied with the FDA's requirements under Memorandum No. 2020-006.
The Department of Health (DOH) has sent equipment to sub-national labs in Davao, Cebu, and Baguio for testing.
The country's testing capacity is currently limited due to a shortage of test kits, though more are expected to arrive soon to boost capabilities.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against purchasing unregistered coronavirus home test kits being sold online, stating that no COVID-19 testing kits have been registered or tested by the agency.
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The Philippine government will refuse the importation and donation of COVID-19 test kits that lack approval from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) warned the public against purchasing fake and unapproved COVID-19 test kits, especially those sold online.
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The Department of Health (DOH) announced that the COVID-19 test kit developed by University of the Philippines (UP) scientists will be ready for commercial use in two to three weeks following a validation process.
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The Department of Health (DOH) does not recommend the use of rapid COVID-19 test kits due to concerns about their accuracy.
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