The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided to require a pharmacist to explain the antigen test kit, which can simultaneously check for the presence of new coronavirus and influenza infections, when it is sold at pharmacies.
Until now, simultaneous testing kits for the new coronavirus and influenza have only been approved for use at medical institutions, but amid concerns about simultaneous epidemics, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced on November 28 to prevent medical institutions from being overwhelmed. decided to lift the ban on general sales at pharmacies and on the Internet.
In response to this, on the 1st, a subcommittee of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare's specialized committee deliberated on the sales method, and pharmacists must sell it, and then explain to purchasers how to use the test kit in writing or by e-mail. I decided to make it mandatory.
Antigen tests have the risk of "false negatives" when the amount of virus is low, even if the person is infected. We are asking you to explain that you need to use it properly, and that if you test positive, you should keep a photo of the test results.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has already notified manufacturers, distributors, and purchasers of guidelines, and it is expected that sales will start as early as December.