The ICMR directed states to stop using rapid antibody test kits procured from China-based Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics after their results showed wide variations.
The statement came after several states raised concerns over the performance of tests during the exercise that they undertook. The Health Ministry also clarified that no payment has been made by ICMR to the companies whose testing kits were found to be faulty.
For instance, Rajasthan recently complained about the Rapid Test kit's performance. Consequently, the Rajasthan government has decided to stop the use of rapid test kits from China as they were showing only 5.4 per cent accuracy in testing COVID-19 cases, according to Health Minister Raghu Sharma.
Following the complaints, ICMR said it evaluated the kits of the two firms in field conditions. "The results showed wide variation in their sensitivity, despite early promise of good performance for surveillance purposes," it said in a statement.
Here's the letter issued by ICMR to states regarding testing kits:
Given this, the ICMR directed the states to stop using these kits procured from the above-mentioned companies and return them to be sent back to the suppliers.
ICMR advocates that RT-PCR throat or nasal swab test is the best use for diagnosis of COVID 19. The test detects the virus early and is the best strategy to identify and isolate the individual
Earlier this month, ICMR had asked states to stop using rapid antibody test kits for Covid-19 diagnosis for two days until they are validated again.
Around 5 lakh Rapid Test kits were procured by the government and distributed around the country after the ICMR recommended that every resident in Coronavirus hotspots or areas with a large number of cases will be tested for the virus.