Groups urge use of rapid test kits

The Rural Pharmacist Society has called on the government to urgently allow the import and use of Covid-19 rapid test kits to relieve the hardship of people waiting to be tested by healthcare workers.

Supanai Prasertsuk, president of the group, on Thursday petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Medical Science to allow the import and use of the test kits after the daily number of Covid-19 infections soared.

People have been lying on roads while waiting to be tested by healthcare workers.

The group also asked the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to ensure equal access to the test kits for everyone, adding that the FDA and NHSO need to disseminate instructions on how to use the kits and read test results.

Dr Supat Hasuwannakit, president of the Rural Doctor Society, wrote on his Facebook page that people urgently need Covid19 self-test kits as many have unnecessarily waited overnight to be tested.

“In the [United Kingdom], all people are free to ask for the kit from the authorities,” Dr Supat wrote.

“The kit contains the swab and diagnostics pack — which will show fairly accurate results while helping people decide whether they need to quarantine themselves, seek beds or feel relieved.”

Most RT-PCR tests give results within 48 hours and cost 3,000 baht each while it costs laboratories 1,000 baht for each test, he said, adding that the test is accurate and suitable for patients showing severe symptoms.

Meanwhile, the self-swab rapid test costs only 300-400 baht, lower than the tests in labs and it is more accurate than the saliva test, Dr Supat said, adding that it is suitable for people in the at-risk group. Many brands have produced it, giving customers various choices, he said.

However, the Department of Medical Science has not yet allowed its use, despite the wide spread of the coronavirus that has overwhelmed hospitals, he said.

Self-test kits would increase the number of new Covid-19 cases, but spots at hospitals should be reserved for patients in critical condition, Dr Supat said, adding that at-risk groups can conveniently test and isolate themselves from other people.