"Antigen test kit" What are the countermeasures for cases that are difficult to obtain due to increased demand?

Antigen testing, which is in high demand due to the rapid spread of infection with the new coronavirus.

In some pharmacies and clinics, there is a shortage of "antigen test kits" that can show the results in a short time.

Under these circumstances, inspection kit manufacturers are strengthening their production system by operating at night in response to requests from the national government to increase production.

What is the situation in the field facing the shortage of test kits?

And what is the response of the government and manufacturers?

Pharmacies in Chuo-ku, Tokyo have been selling antigen test kits for medical use since last fall.

The feature of the antigen test kit is that you can see the result on the spot in about 15 to 30 minutes, and at this pharmacy, the number of people who buy it started around the middle of this month when the infection spread, and about 30 doses have been sold since the beginning of this year. It means that it was done.

However, since the middle of last week, it has not been possible to secure additional orders from the vendor, and as of the 24th, there is no prospect of future arrival.

At the pharmacy, there were a series of phone calls asking for the purchase of antigen test kits from the morning of the 24th, and the staff who responded explained the current situation.

Hiroo Inubushi, a pharmacist at Echizenbori Pharmacy, said, "I think I'm pretty worried that I'm also infected. I also want to have a test to dispel my anxiety. However, I'm worried that the test kit won't go to the people who really need it in this situation. We also want to explain it properly so that it can reach the people who really need it. " I'm talking.

The situation is running out even in the clinic

Even at the clinic in Chiba City, the kit is running out.

At the fever outpatient clinic in Inage Ward, Chiba City, antigen tests are performed to determine the treatment policy for patients.

At the beginning of last week, the clinic had prepared antigen test kits for 400 people, but since the middle of last week, the number of patients has increased rapidly, and on the 23rd, more than 100 patients visited, so 70 patients. It means that the test kit is gone when it exceeds.

For the remaining 30 or so, the collected samples are sent to private PCR tests, and the results are waited for 1 to 2 days.

On the morning of the 24th, we received the antigen test kit for 200 people that we had ordered before, but we have no plans for future supply, and it is expected that two days will not be enough at this pace.

On the 24th, 59 people were tested in the morning alone, and 20 were positive, so Dr. Fumio Kawauchi of the clinic said, "It takes time for the PCR test to give results, and the infection may spread during that time. And sometimes it's difficult to treat. To be honest, I'm very worried, but many patients will come, so I have to deal with it. "

It also affects the inspection of local governments

Nagoya City held an urgent press conference on the afternoon of the 24th about the response to the new coronavirus, saying that PCR test reagents and antigen test kits are starting to run short, and will be held when infected people appear at schools and business establishments. It has been announced that the screening test for close contacts will be postponed for the time being.

Among them, Dr. Kiyofumi Asai of the Nagoya City Health and Welfare Bureau said, "If the test reagents are solid, it is ideal to test even those who are close contacts and asymptomatic, but in reality this is not the case. I would like you to wait at the hospital and divert resources to people with symptoms. "

He then urged them to stay at home for 10 days from the day of their last contact with the infected, refrain from going out, and contact a medical institution if they had any symptoms.

Through these measures, the city wants to secure an inspection system for people with underlying diseases and the elderly who are at high risk of becoming severe.

Manufacturers strengthen production system

Inspection kit manufacturers are strengthening their production system by operating at night in response to requests from the government to increase production.

Following the rapid spread of the infection, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare requested manufacturers of antigen test kits to increase production this month.

The manufacturer of antigen test kits for medical use in Usa City, Oita Prefecture, also started to increase production from last week in response to the request of the government because orders were increasing rapidly.

By extending the factory operating hours from 5 pm to 11 pm and operating on holidays, the production volume of inspection kits, which was up to 20,000 times a day, will be increased to 25,000 times. Is the goal.

Furthermore, in the future, the number of people working at the factory will be increased to 75, which is 1.5 times the current number, and it is planned to have a 24-hour system.

Shinji Hatate, General Manager of the Manufacturing Department of Adtech Co., Ltd., said, "We are in a situation where we are running out of stockpiles due to the tremendous amount of shipments we make every day. It will be a burden to our employees, but we have just started to increase production as much as possible. We are producing with a sense of mission to make and deliver as many kits as possible a day for safety and security. "

Prime Minister Kishida "Requesting manufacturers to increase supply"

In response to the shortage of test kits, Prime Minister Kishida told reporters, "In areas where infection is spreading, outpatient clinics are crowded and inconvenient, making it difficult to obtain test kits. I have heard the voice saying that it is. "

In addition, he expressed his intention to improve outpatient consultations by utilizing telemedicine and handing out test kits to people with symptoms in advance, based on the voices of the field and scientific knowledge.

Regarding the securing of the inspection system, "We have secured 4.6 million inspection kits, and the government has guaranteed the purchase of the inspection kits, and for the time being, we are requesting that the supply amount be increased to 800,000 times a day." Said.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno "Securing a system of cooperation with local government manufacturers and wholesalers"

In addition, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said at a press conference, "The rapid spread of infection has led to a rapid increase in inspection demand, and there is a temporary shortage of testing capacity in some regions. In addition to making adjustments such as increasing the supply of antigen test kits in cooperation, we are working to secure the required amount by requesting manufacturers to increase production as much as possible. We also ask wholesalers for PCR test reagents and antigen test kits. We are requesting a stable supply of the product. We would like to work with local governments, manufacturers, and wholesalers to secure an inspection system. "