The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informs all healthcare professionals and the general public that the saliva antigen test kit approved by the FDA is not an RT-PCR test kit. It is a rapid antigen-based test kit and its utility and accuracy are not the same as an RT-PCR test.
RT-PCR based testing is the gold standard for COVID-19 testing and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is the only laboratory accredited by the Department of Health to use saliva as a sample for RT-PCR testing.
Please be reminded that the two tests are not equivalent and results are not interchangeable. The administration and use of these tests should be done by trained health professionals.
Dissemination of this advisory to all concerned is hereby requested.
Attachment:->FDA Advisory No.2021-0284