FDA Approves COVID-19 Test Kits Developed By Up
FDA – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of COVID-19 test kits for detecting the virus as confirmed cases increases.
There are now 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) in the Philippines.
The Food and Drug Administration issued the Certificate of Exemption for the SARS CoV-2 PCR detection kit on Tuesday. The kit was made by local scientists at the UPNIH (University of the Philippines National Institute of Health). It was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The test kit will be used for field testing coupled with gene sequencing at the Philippine Genome Center. This backs up the status “CODE RED” which was hoisted by the Department of Health and the recent declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte of a state of public health emergency, the FDA said.
As per the report, President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 922 on Sunday, which declares a public health emergency over the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the health department suggested the declaration after it raised its alert to Code Red Sub-Level 1 as it revealed that the fifth patient was a case of local transmission.
“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,”
“The FDA maintains its mandate in ensuring the safety and efficacy of products and devices to protect public health, and commits to cooperate with all agencies in ensuring a prompt response to this global crisis,”
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