Not stand-alone testsThe DOH, however, said the rapid test kits the government was buying would not be used in the mass testing because their results needed further validation. Vergeire, however, did not explain why there was a need for the government to spend billions of pesos to acquire rapid test kits. “Basically, he is saying, ‘OK, let’s use both and I am ordering the government through the Office of Civil Defense or the Department of Budget and Management to already now start purchasing those rapid test kits.’ Before that decision, we only received donated rapid test kits. But now the President has given the go-signal to already start purchasing rapid test kits so we won’t rely on donors,” Nograles said. He said the rapid test kits the government wanted to buy were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and that the government was sure about their safety.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 14, 2020 21:33 UTC