LETTER: Why block Covid-19 test?
SA’s Medicines Control Council should approve China’s combined antibody test
The rapid IgM-IgG combined antibody test for Covid-19 has been used by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control to combat infections. As soon as a person’s immune system responds to an infection this test will pick it up.
Why would SA’s Medicines Control Council want to block access to this test, which can be self-administered easily and is low cost? I have not seen any evidence that the test is not accurate. Even if it is not 100% accurate, for which I cannot find any evidence, it could be sold with a disclaimer that a negative result does not preclude the possibility of an infection and people experiencing symptoms should go for testing at a laboratory or hospital even if the test is negative...
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