DOH warns public vs. non-licensed COVID-19 testing labs

The Department of Health on Monday warned the public that COVID-19 testing from non-licensed facilities and laboratories are strictly prohibited and dangerous.

“Pinagbibigay alam sa lahat na kinakailangan ng lisensya mula sa DOH ang anumang laboratoryo o pasilidad upang makasagawa ng COVID-19 testing. Ang pagsasagawa ng COVID-19 Testing na walang lisensya mula sa DOH ay pinagbabawal at mapanganib,” the department said in an advisory.

The DOH made the statement after Clearbridge Medical Philippines last July 7 posted on Facebook that it has been open for dialysis treatments and COVID-19 rapid and RT-PCR testing for the past few weeks.

But according to the DOH, Clearbridge Medical Philippines is not certified to conduct COVID-19 testing.

It also has not applied to be a licensed COVID-19 laboratory, the DOH added.

“Ang Clearbridge Medical Philippines ay hindi lisensyado ng DOH at sa kasalukuyan ay walang aplikasyon para maging isang lisensyadong COVID-19 laboratory,” the DOH said.

Clearbridge clarifies post

Meanwhile, Clearbridge Medical apologized for the misinterpretation of its RT-PCR testing, saying it failed to mention in its post that the facility is in partnership with Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc., which is a DOH-licensed COVID-19 testing laboratory.

Clearbridge Medical also clarified that the collection and testing of specimens are performed only by licensed professionals from Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc.

“With the goal to help control the spread of the pandemic by expanding COVID-19 testing, Clearbridge Medical Philippines serves as one of the specimen collection hubs of Safeguard DNA Diagnostics, Inc. that facilitate coordination with patients who wish to undergo RT-PCR (swab) testing,” it said in a statement.

“Clearbridge Medical Philippines is aware of the policies and guidelines of DOH regarding compliance of all accredited RT-PCR testing laboratories and ensured that our partner, Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. is a licensed COVID-19 testing laboratory that strictly observes these policies,” it added.

Further, Clearbridge Medical said it “supports the mission” of the DOH in ensuring public safety and “has no intention to violate” the rules of the agency regarding facility licensing.

“[W]e would like to apologize for this misunderstanding and rest assured that we are doing all efforts to address this concern with DOH,” it said.

As of July 9, the country has 83 laboratories that have been licensed to conduct independent testing for COVID-19, the DOH said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 62 polymerase chain reaction facilities and 21 GeneXpert laboratories have been accredited by the DOH.

So far, the country’s COVID-19 cases reached a total of 56,259 including 1,534 deaths and 16,046 recoveries. — RSJ, GMA News