Sale Of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests Approved

COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits have been approved for sale by the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Ministry of Health. This was confirmed today by Minister Terrence Deyalsingh during the Ministry’s COVID-19 Update. On Tuesday, there were reports that Head of the Pharmacy Board Andrew Rahaman said he had no idea that pharmacies were given the green light to sell COVID-19 home testing kits. Today the Minister said the requisite approval had been granted. Last week, Minister Deyalsingh said home testing kits would soon come to Trinidad and Tobago and importers could apply to the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division to bring them in. He said although the antigen tests offer the advantage of affordability and convenience, the gold standard for COVID-19 testing remains PCR testing.