UP Scientists Detection kit for COVID-19 approves by FD

Photo Courtesy: bbc.com

Detection kit for COVID-19 developed by UP Scientists back in February has been approved by Food and Drugs Administration, March 10. The FDA issued a certificate of exemption and allows the use of the SARS-CoV-2 PCR Detection Kit or the COVID-19 testing kit developed by the UP National Institute of Health (UPNIH) to test samples of the coronavirus which was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). “This supports the CODE RED status raised by the Department of Health (DOH) and the recent declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte of a state of Public Health Emergency,” the FDA said. The DOH already raised Code-Red Sublevel 1 after the confirmation of local transmission of COVID-19 in the country. FDA Director General Rolando Enrique Domingo said the test kits will help monitor the growing number of patients suspected of having contracted COVID-19. “The increasing number of reported COVID 19 cases will require immediate diagnosis and monitoring. This will provide our laboratories with technological reinforcement to accommodate the growing number of patients to be tested and aid in early screening of positive cases. Furthermore, this will provide greater access to a less costly diagnostic procedure,” Domingo said, as quoted in the statement. As of Tuesday, there are already 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines.