Over-the-counter COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Kits

Debated in Parliament on 16 Feb 2021.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired whether the government would permit over-the-counter COVID-19 self-test kits, such as those authorized in the US, to reduce the strain on public resources.
Gan Kim Yong stated that no applications for such test kits have been submitted to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), but suppliers are free to apply for registration and provisional approval.
The HSA has provisionally approved Antigen Rapid Test kits for use by trained personnel, and testing capacity remains sufficient with no restrictions or waiting lists for public testing.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and approve new testing technologies that are safe, effective, and meet public health needs.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Health whether the Government intends to allow over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test kits like the Ellume COVID-19 Home Test now authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration to enable self-testing by individuals, commercial entities or non-governmental organisations and reduce pressure on state resources.

Gan Kim Yong

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has to date not received any applications for over-the-counter (OTC) self-administered COVID-19 diagnostic test kits to be registered and brought into Singapore. Any supplier who wishes to provide such test kits may apply to HSA. Nonetheless, HSA has given provisional approval to Antigen Rapid Test kits which use the same technology but are meant to be administered by trained personnel.

At present, we have sufficient overall testing capacity to meet our public health needs. Anyone who wishes to be tested can also do so, at the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s list of approved GP clinics that offer such testing. There are no restrictions and no waiting lists.

MOH will continue to monitor and evaluate new testing and sampling methods, and will approve new technologies that are safe, effective and which fulfil our testing needs.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired whether the government would permit over-the-counter COVID-19 self-test kits, such as those authorized in the US, to reduce the strain on public resources.
Gan Kim Yong stated that no applications for such test kits have been submitted to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), but suppliers are free to apply for registration and provisional approval.
The HSA has provisionally approved Antigen Rapid Test kits for use by trained personnel, and testing capacity remains sufficient with no restrictions or waiting lists for public testing.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and approve new testing technologies that are safe, effective, and meet public health needs.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Over-the-counter COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Kits | PAPERCUTS

Over-the-counter COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Kits

Debated in Parliament on 16 Feb 2021.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired whether the government would permit over-the-counter COVID-19 self-test kits, such as those authorized in the US, to reduce the strain on public resources.
Gan Kim Yong stated that no applications for such test kits have been submitted to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), but suppliers are free to apply for registration and provisional approval.
The HSA has provisionally approved Antigen Rapid Test kits for use by trained personnel, and testing capacity remains sufficient with no restrictions or waiting lists for public testing.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and approve new testing technologies that are safe, effective, and meet public health needs.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Gan Kim Yong

MOH will continue to monitor and evaluate new testing and sampling methods, and will approve new technologies that are safe, effective and which fulfil our testing needs.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Dennis Tan Lip Fong inquired whether the government would permit over-the-counter COVID-19 self-test kits, such as those authorized in the US, to reduce the strain on public resources.
Gan Kim Yong stated that no applications for such test kits have been submitted to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), but suppliers are free to apply for registration and provisional approval.
The HSA has provisionally approved Antigen Rapid Test kits for use by trained personnel, and testing capacity remains sufficient with no restrictions or waiting lists for public testing.
The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and approve new testing technologies that are safe, effective, and meet public health needs.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Over-the-counter COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Kits

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified

Over-the-counter COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Kits

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Dennis Tan Lip Fong

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified