DOH denies releasing expired RT-PCR test kits to labs

Baguio City, Philippines – According to delivery records and documents, the Department of Health and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) denied claim over alleged expired RT-PCR test kits distributed by the latter to any laboratory in the country.

This is after City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that thousands of RT-PCR test kits were given by RITM to Baguio City past their expiry dates.

In a press release this December 28, DOH stressed that testing kits have a shorter shelf life of 6 months unlike medicines that have 3 – 5 years.

“... unlike medicines which have a shelf life of 3-5 years, testing kits have a significantly shorter shelf life of 6 months from the date of manufacturing,” the DOH said.

“Test kits are fast-moving stock that have to be utilized immediately, considering that shipment and other laboratory processes already take up part of their already short shelf life,” they added.

Other factors contribute to low consumption of Covid-19 test kits which increase likelihood to expire before use include machine compatibility, technical issues, low testing referral count, and availability of supplies, the DOH further explained.

Meanwhile, the agency said COVID-19 Laboratory Network Project Management Unit (PMU) was created and a new information management system was launched for agile stock management.

“The PMU is now developing a more efficient and focused logistics process, while ensuring uninterrupted supply of COVID-19 test kits,” the DOH concluded.

OTHER NEWS

‘Lead by example’ - Gov. Tubban to leaders of Tabuk Rotary Club

ADVERTISEMENT

Follow Guru Press Cordillera on Facebook for more News and Information