Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) — The Department of Health cannot give the go-signal yet for the use of a cheaper and less painful saliva test to detect coronavirus infections as it needs to undergo a wider review to determine its efficacy.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday told Senator Pia Cayetano, the sponsor of the DOH’s proposed 2021 budget, that there is still no definitive finding on the test’s efficacy despite the completion of the Philippine Red Cross’ study.
Cayetano relayed to other senators that the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine needs to conduct 1,400 more tests to compare the results from the saliva test and the RT-PCR swab test, which remains the gold standard in detecting COVID-19 infections. She said the RITM’s initial study used a sample size that was “too small.” She added that a panel of laboratory experts encountered a problem with their review process so they need to conduct another one with 50 more tests.
The DOH said there will be updates on the ongoing review within two to three weeks. Philippine Red Cross Chairman and Senator Richard Gordon urged the department to fasttrack the study.
“Bureaucracy has to move faster because we’re in the middle of a very bad pandemic,” he said during the budget deliberations.
The senator on Wednesday said the PRC has submitted its recommendation for the use of saliva tests, noting it is only awaiting Duque’s signature.
The PRC said the saliva test met the standards when compared to results from RT-PCR tests. It added that the saliva test is more economical since the specimen collector does not need to wear protective gear — making the cost cheaper than the RT-PCR. It also said saliva specimen has fewer requirements when it comes to storage.
Gordon previously pegged the cost of a saliva test from P1,500 to P2,500. The Red Cross charges P3,500 per RT-PCR swab test.
