COVID-19 test kits developed by UP scientists are now ready for mass testing

Test kits used to detect 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that were developed by University of the Philippines (UP) scientists are now ready for mass testing.

The announcement was posted on the UP Office of the Student Regents' Facebook page.

“The COVID-19 testing kit developed by UP scientists has completed its field validation last April 1, Tuesday.

“The Food and Drug Administration Philippines (FDA), which initially approved the test kit weeks ago, is expected to issue the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for GenAmplify™ Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) rRT PCR Detection Kit today, April 3, and will give the go signal for the rollout tomorrow, April 4,” the post reads.

The said test kits were reported to be cheaper and quicker in delivering results compared to foreign counterparts.

“The said field implementation is funded under the DOST and the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH) Project,” it added.

The organization also called for the public's cooperation in conducting effective mass testing.

It also echoed their stance for the government's support in the said project.

“We urge everyone to unite in calling for the ensured conduct of mass testing and for the national government to truly support this project. Pro-people, rights-based medical solutions are needed more than ever,” it said.

In response to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 infections in the country, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 18 announced that it is allowing the use of the COVID-19 test kits developed by local scientists at the University of the Philippines-National Institute of Health (UP-NIH).

The UP-NIH technology was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Dr. Jerry Cua, ipinaliwanag kung ano'ng ibig sabihin ng isang tao na 'asymptomatic' sa COVID-19