The batch of COVID-19 test kits that was the subject of a Senate inquiry can be stored for just six months, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday, as it defended the government's purchase of the tools that expired before use.
Earlier this week, the Department of Health confirmed that 7,925 of the test kits it procured had expired which according to Sen. Francis Pangilinan means that as much as P550 million in public funds were wasted.
Shelf life of the test kits was only confirmed once they were purchased and reviewed over time said FDA director general Eric Domingo, noting that "new technology" was used in its development.
"Ang kit ay bagong develop, nalalaman lang po natin 'yung kanyang shelf life habang tumatagal po 'yung panahon na siya ay na-manufacture," he told President Rodrigo Duterte in a late-night meeting.
"Kaya po talagang noong panahon na iyon, lahat po ng test kits ay six months lamang po ang shelf life ng mga commercially available RT-PCR test kits. So hindi lang po sa DOH 'yun. Lahat po ng private laboratory, lahat po ng RT-PCR laboratory, ang nabibiling test kit po noon ay six months lamang po ang shelf life," he said.
READ: Nearly 8,000 Expired Test Kits Cost Gov't P550 Million: Senator
The shelf life of COVID-19 test kits bought by the government came under scrutiny as senators continue their investigation on alleged misuse of public funds for pandemic response.
Domingo also disagreed with the description that the COVID-19 test kits were "near expiry," saying the shelf life at the time was generally six months.
"Kung nakabili po ang DOH ng mga test kits na six months ang shelf life, hindi po near expiry 'yun. Kung 'di, iyon po talaga ang available shelf life ng mga test kits at the time," he said.
Health Sec. Francisco Duque III earlier said development of the test kits evolved as months passed since COVID-19 was a new disease.
"Bago kasi itong virus na ito, and yung gumagawa ng test kits had to rely on evolving information as to the stability of the test kits," he said.
Reportr is now on Quento. Download the app or visit the Quento website for more articles and videos from Reportr and your favorite websites.
