Palace: 31 manufacturers of COVID-19 antigen self-test kits seek FDA approval

There are at least 31 manufacturers of antigen COVID-19 self test kits waiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Palace said Tuesday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the announcement after the FDA approved Abbott Panbio and Labnovation Technologies COVID-19 antigen self-test kits.

"31 applications were forwarded to the RITM (Research Institute of Tropical Medicine) for evaluation," Nograles said.

"If they pass the RITM's evaluation, they will subsequently get approval from the FDA," he added.

Nograles said the accreditation of more self-administered antigen COVID-19 test since it will boost the country's COVID-19 response.

"Once  it happens, our people would have choices and accessibility to testing," he said.

Under the existing policy of "targeted testing", the government only provides free RT-PCR COVID-19 test for individuals with COVID-19 symptoms and those with exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual.

The Palace has said that this strategy is the best way to efficiently manage and maximize the country's limited resources.—LDF, GMA News