The Food and Drugs Administration has warned the Baguio City Health Services Office against the use of antigen self-test kits being sold in some of the city’s barangay health centers.
The FDA Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health, and Research (CDRRHR) said the Ichroma Covid-19 AG Test, one of the brands sold in some barangay health centers, was not issued a certification as a self-test kit.
The city government has rolled out in January the sale of antigen self-test kits in selected barangay health centers in Baguio, as part of the efforts to detect and mitigate the spread of the virus that causes the Covid-19.
In a letter to the CHSO Head Rowena Galpo, CDRRHR Director IV Maria Cecilia Matienzo said the antigen self-test kit brand, does not have an FDA certification making its sale and advertisement, among other things, prohibited.
The Ichroma Covid-19 AG Test brand was posted by the Public Information Office in its Facebook account along with an article announcing the kits are available for sale in selected barangay halls.
Mateinzo said upon verification, it was found the brand does not have a special certification as an antigen self-test kit as of Feb. 3.
She has ordered for the deletion of the PIO Facebook post, which the FDA accessed on March 8. The post has since been deleted in the PIO Facebook account.
Matienzo reiterated FDA’s warning for healthcare professionals and the public not to purchase and use Covid-19 test kits from unauthorized dealers or distributors.
Currently, the FDA approved two brands of self-administered test kits – Abbott Panbio and Labnovation Technologies. – Jane B. Cadalig
April 26, 2024
