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The EU is really stepping on the gas when it comes to rapid corona tests. Switzerland, on the other hand, is not taking off. The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) has been reviewing its approval for more than a month. Testing could be an important tool for detecting infections quickly. And to prevent the coronavirus from spreading further.
The BAG has been requesting approval of a cheap saliva test with a sensitivity of 94 percent for a month, as reported by the “Tages-Anzeiger.” Although the tests are still being carried out in Switzerland, rapid tests are already used in many European countries. 16 rapid tests have already been approved in the EU.
BAG delays the process: Will the saliva test be approved soon?(01:08)
Pharynx sample
The problem: Most rapid tests are tests in which a sample must be taken with a stick to the throat. This is considered error prone. Now more and more tests that analyze saliva are coming to the market. Relatively easy with an included test kit.
For the EU Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides (64), it is clear: “Rapid antigen tests are crucial to slow the spread of Covid-19”.
Costly evaluation in the laboratory.
Rapid tests are now available in Switzerland. Most work with a sample from the nasal cavity. And the saliva tests that are in the market in this country have to be evaluated in a specialized laboratory. Which is laborious and expensive. Tests that give a result in minutes without a lab are not yet approved. (pbe)
