FDA Monitors Illegal Sale of Covid-19 Test Kits

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now engaged in “comprehensive monitoring” of online sales platforms to track the illegal sale of FDA-certified Covid-19 test kits.

In a notice issued on March 4, the regulatory body said: “The FDA strongly reminds all interested parties and the general public that the online sale of all types of FDA-certified Covid-19 test kits ( reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR, antibodies, antigen-based) is strictly prohibited. “

He reminded the public that these specially FDA-certified Covid-19 test kits “are strictly for professional medical use and not for personal use.”

FDA Director General Eric Domingo directed regional field offices and enforcement units to “do a thorough monitoring” of Lazada and Shopee to determine if Covid-19 test kits are marketed in these online sales platforms.

The FDA also said it would “implement immediate regulatory and enforcement actions as warranted” against violators of Republic Law No. 9711, or the Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, the government has prosecuted the illegal sale of Covid-19 test kits, which are supposed to be administered by a medical professional in the detection of the novel coronavirus.

In May 2020, the National Investigation Office arrested a former actress and her mother for the illegal sale of Covid-19 rapid test kits worth 78,000 pesos. However, the FDA has issued special certifications as of February for a total of 380 Covid. -19 test kits that are allowed for commercial use but under the supervision of a medical professional.

Of the number, 129 are RT-PCR kits, 108 are rapid antibody kits, 68 are immunoassay kits, and 75 are other types of Covid-19 test kits.

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