With the 7th wave of the new coronavirus, the infection has spread rapidly and it has been difficult to get tested.
We have summarized when you can buy it and what you should pay attention to.
(Society department reporter Saki Onishi)
When will you start selling online?
Regarding the antigen test kit for the new coronavirus, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare held a subcommittee of experts on the 17th and decided to lift the ban on online sales.
The aim is to increase the opportunities for each and every one of us to be tested, and it is also expected to prevent the spread of infection.
When purchasing online, it is expected that the pharmacist will need to explain the correct usage and what to do if it is positive.
We have also finished formulating guidelines for manufacturers, distributors, and even those who have purchased, and sales will start as early as this month.
Why sell online?
The government-approved antigen test kit is classified as "medical" under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law.
Until now, in addition to use in medical settings, sales at pharmacies have been exceptionally approved since autumn last year, on the condition that pharmacists explain how to use them to purchasers.
However, if economic and social activities become more active, there will be more requests for negative proof, and in the so-called 7th wave, medical institutions will be flooded with patients, making it difficult to get tested. Experts have suggested that we should establish a system in which we can reliably obtain these products cheaply.
Note [1] “Do not use “for research””
Currently, there are two types of antigen test kits in circulation.
Of these, "medical" test kits are reviewed by PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency), which reviews pharmaceuticals, and after that, they can be used after approval by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. In-vitro diagnostics” is always specified.
Currently, there are 56 types in total from 30 manufacturers.
On the other hand, unapproved ones are marketed as "research use" test kits and sold on the Internet.
However, the country has not confirmed the performance of these products.
It is said that some of the test kits are labeled as if they were approved by the government. Please do not do it." I am calling attention.
Points to note [2] Accuracy of inspection
There are also some points to note about “medical” antigen test kits.
One is test accuracy.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it takes about a day to get the results of the PCR test, but the results of the antigen test can be obtained in about 15 minutes, so it seems easy to use.
On the other hand, it is said that the accuracy is inferior compared to the PCR test.
For this reason, if the amount of virus in the body is small, it may be a "false negative" in which a negative result is obtained despite being infected. is required.
[3] Store in a cool place
Also, the test kit must be stored between 2 and 30 degrees Celsius, otherwise the results may not be correct.
When purchasing on the Internet, the temperature inside the truck during transportation sometimes rises during the hot summer months, so it is necessary for the shipping company to strictly control the temperature.
Even if we store it at home after purchase, it is desirable to keep it in a cool place where it can be kept within the specified temperature, so we need to be careful.
Is there a stable supply of test kits for “medical use”?
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the domestic inventory of "medical" test kits is about 140 million as of August 15.
At a subcommittee of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare held on the 17th, an expert said, ``We should give top priority to supplying medical institutions and manage inventories so that we cannot secure test kits at medical sites.'' it was done.
The government will continue to monitor the production volume and import volume inventory every week so that the inventory can be stably secured even after the ban on online sales is lifted.