Coronavirus Disease test kits developed by UP-NIH scientists, allowed for use by FDA

In response to the rising numbers of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) infections in the Philippines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is allowing the use of the COVID-19 test kits developed by local scientists at the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health (UP-NIH).

The UP-NIH technology was funded by the Department of Science and Technology. It will be used for field testing coupled with gene sequencing at the Philippine Genome Center.

In their press release, FDA says that 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 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," said Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo, the FDA director general.

"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," he added.

According to UP-NIH clinician-scientist Raul Destura, they had begun developing the COVID-19 test kits immediately after the whole genome sequence of the virus has been released.

There's no word yet on whether it will be mass-produced and whether people can buy it over-the-counter.

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