Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) — Manufacturers of self-administered COVID-19 test kits may now register their products with the Food and Drug Administration, said Deputy Director General Oscar Gutierrez.
“As of today, we announced that we are accepting applications for special certification for COVID-19 self-administered or the home test kits,” Gutierrez said Thursday in a televised meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte and other officials leading the pandemic response.
Guidelines on the use of these test kits will be issued by the Department of Health by Jan. 17, according to the FDA officer-in-charge.
He added these include rules on reporting and on waste disposal, and guidance on interpretation of test results, as well as on what actions must be taken by those found positive for the coronavirus.
Some government officials, including testing czar Vince Dizon, have expressed openness to using self-administered test kits as the country battles with a fresh surge of COVID-19 infections.
This story will be updated.
