Be wary of COVID-19 antigen test kits sold online, DOH tells public

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reminded the public that rapid antigen test kits for COVID-19 cannot be used at home as they can only be administered by an authorized medical professional.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said antigen kits have not yet been approved for home use under the current regulations.

She explained that antigen tests must only be conducted by health workers and in an “appropriate” setting.

“‘Yun pong ginagamit sa bahay at nabibili sa online baka kayo [ay] magkaroon pa ng problema diyan and you will be misguided kasi baka bigyan kayo ng false results,” Vergeire said in a briefing.

(The ones being used at home and purchased online can cause problems. You will be misguided because it might give you false results.)

The DOH urged the public to turn to licensed COVID-19 testing laboratories instead.

The president of the Philippine Hospital Association earlier urged health authorities to “empower the people” to test themselves for COVID-19 by allowing the commercial distribution of rapid antigen test kits. 

“It is as easy as doing a pregnancy test and people will be taught how to do self collection of specimen,” Dr. Jaime Almora said.

The DOH has thumbed down renewed calls for mass testing amid a surge in cases, stressing that the government is focused on “risk-based” testing instead. 

The Philippines has 157,451 active cases as of Monday afternoon.  — Julia Mari Ornedo/RSJ, GMA News