Guy hints at COVID PCR test scam
OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN on Health Dr Morais Guy has alleged that there is an ongoing scam involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 testing with whirlwind turnaround of results in a matter of minutes.
He made the claim during Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives where he told legislators that he has reported the matter to the relevant authorities.
According to Guy, the results of PCR tests are being furnished in as short a time as eight minutes, a major deviation from the standard turnaround period.
PCR test results may be returned as early as 24 hours after sample collection, but sometimes take a few days depending on throughput to laboratories.
“This is what is happening out there. And, interestingly, there is no system in place for that to be controlled, for that to be arrested,” he said.
In his rebuttal, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said the testing process used in the country has been outlined.
Meantime, he sought to clarify reports that only World Health Organization (WHO)-approved COVID-19 test kits are allowed into the country.
The agency responsible for international public health identified Jamaica as one of two countries in the region that had imported substandard COVID-19 test kits.
Tufton said that the ministry is mandated under the Food & Drug Act (1964) to regulate healthcare products, including medical devices through product registration and permit processes.
He said some time after October 2020, Cabinet approved the expansion of the list of test kits using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Private-sector entities were then invited to submit a list of the kits most preferred and that the necessary validation would be conducted and permits granted thereafter.
He said based on the instruction of Cabinet, the emergency use listing issued by the WHO and the emergency use authorisation issued by the FDA, the ministry began the process of approving permits for the importation of test kits.
Tufton said that four test kits were approved for use and noted that private-sector entities allowed to import them must channel applications through the ministry’s Standards and Regulation Division.
He said, however, that after being notified by the WHO that SD Biosensor Standard Q COVID19 antigen test kits manufactured India were present in the market, an investigation was conducted and the importer ordered to quarantine the products.
The tests were being administered at a cost significantly lower than the standard market price.
He said that the test kits are currently being assessed for efficacy and that the results will be provided to the ministry later this month.
Meanwhile, Guy questioned whether taxpayers would stand liability for the unapproved test kits that were imported, arguing that the health ministry gave approval to the importer.
Tufton said that while guidance was given in relation to the test kits in question, there was a mix-up in specifications in the manufacturing process.
“The member is suggesting that already we need to engage in discussions around who stands liability and who is to pay back for the testing, and so on. My approach is to allow the process to take its course,” Tufton told lawmakers.
“Based on the results of those validation exercises that are now taking place, then we will have a conversation as to whether or not there is any need for any follow-up action.”