The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that it has not distributed expired RT-PCR test kits to any laboratory in the country.
The response came after the complaint of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong that thousands of RT-PCR test kits from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) cannot be used due to their expiration.
“Kahapon ay amin nang na-check iyan. Basically, for the local government, wala naman kaming RT-PCR na naibigay na expired (We checked that yesterday. Basically for the local government, we did not give expired RT-PCR),” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Saturday.
The health department also explained that the test kits are considered fast moving stock which have to be utilized immediately. They have a short shelf life of six months after they are manufactured, unlike other medicines that can last for three to five years.
Among the factors being considered by the department on the non-usage of the said tools are machine compatibility, technical issues, low testing referral count, and availability of supplies. This is the reason for the creation of the COVID-19 Laboratory Network Project Management Unit and a new Information Management System to ensure the utilization of the distributed test kits at the right time. – PTV News
