Field validation of DOST COVID-19 test kits to be finished Wednesday

March 30, 2020

The field validation for the COVID-19 testing kits is expected to be finished by Wednesday, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Monday.

Issuance of the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) from the Food and Drug Administration Philippines (FDA) is expected on Friday.

''We have informed the FDA that requirements for CPR Certification will be submitted on Wednesday, April 1 at the latest,'' said DOST in a statement.

A total of 120,000 test kits will be manufactured by The Manila HealthTek Inc.

The company has also reported that the first batch of reagents arrived, which will enable them to start the manufacturing process.

From April 4 to 25, there will be a field implementation for the 26,000 testing kits funded under the DOST and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) Project.

The DOST will prioritize production of 26,000 test kits 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, said Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Pena.

The remaining 94,000 testing kits will be sold commercially by Manila HealthTek at around P1,300 per kit which is cheaper than the units being used in hospitals which cost about P8,000. 

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. DMS