Concerns raised over antigen test kit imports before validation

COLOMBO (News1st): Concerns have been raised over the importation of antigen test kits to be used in COVID-19 testing before the validation process of the kits has ended. "Once we receive the (validation) reports, we hope to introduce antigen tests by the end of next week," Dr Saman Rathnayake, the health ministry's deputy director of laboratory services said. However, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has questioned the reason to import the test kits before completing the validation process. "If the validation report shows that it is unsuitable, then the imported stocks will go to waste," GMOA editor Dr Haritha Aluthge told a news conference on Friday. Dr Jayaruwan Bandara, the deputy director of the Medical Research Institute said, the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) had imported the kits through a private company. "I feel that it is the SPC Chairman who can issue a proper clarification over this move. But the SPC has no limitation in bringing down the kits directly," Dr Bandara insisted. The Government Medical Officers Forum has also raised questions over the move. "I have been told that these products have been imported without obtaining proper approval," Dr Rukshan Bellana, the president of the GMOF said. He alleged that a mafia is operating under the guise of battling under COVID-19 and that it must be defeated.