The new COVID-19 test kit developed by a group of scientists in University of the Philippines and headed by microbiology and biotechnology expert Dr. Raul Destura has successfully completed its field validation.
The Food and Drug Administration Philippines (FDA) is expected to release the Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for GenAmplify™ Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) rRT PCR Detection Kit today, which means that the product is ready to be rolled out starting tomorrow, April 4, 2020.
READ: All the answers to COVID-19 testing related questions in PH
Compared to imported COVID-19 test kits, the UP test kit created by local scientists are much faster and way cheaper. From April 4 to April 25, up to 26,000 tests can be done as it suits up for field implementation.
The UP COVID-19 test kit is also expected to be sold in the market for around Php1,300 each, over Php7,000 cheaper compared to foreign counterparts.
Source: UP Office of the Student Regent