Kinumpirma ng University of the Philippines (UP) na natapos na ng National Institute of Health of field validation ng COVID-19 test kits na dinevelop ng kanilang mga scientists.
Ibig sabihin, bibigyan na ng Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ang produkto ng go signal para magamit commercially.
“The Food and Drug Administration Philippines (FDA), which initially approved the test kit weeks ago, is expected to issue the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for GenAmplify™ Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) rRT PCR Detection Kit today, April 3, and will give the go signal for the rollout tomorrow, April 4,” ayon sa UP Office of the Student Regent.
Batay sa mga naunang ulat, mas mura ang presyo ng naturang test kits kumpara sa inaangkat ng pamahalaan mula ibang bansa.
Ayon kay Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Fortunato de la Peña, kasama nila ang UP-NIH sa gagawing field implementation sa pagitan ng mga petsang April 24 at April 25.
“A certain number of testing kits that can do up to 26,000 tests will be prioritized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for field implementation and distribution to the Philippine General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and Baguio General Hospital.”
“The remaining testing kits good for around 94,000 tests will be sold commercially by Manila HealthTek at around P1,300 per kit which is cheaper than the units currently being used in hospitals which cost about P8,000.”
“The Manila HealthTek said they have enough orders from the private sector who intend to donate them in turn to the Department of Health (Philippines) and hospitals.”
Nanawagan naman ang UP Office the Student Regent sa publiko na magkaisa para masigurong magkakaroon ng mass testing, gayundin na suportahan ito ng pamahalaan.
“Pro-people, rights-based medical solutions are needed more than ever.”
Si Dr. Raul Destura na siyang Deputy Executive Director ng Philippine Genome Center ang nanguna sa team na nag-develop ng naturang test kits.
