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How To Avoid Fake COVID-19 Tests
The highly-transmissible Omicron variant shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. The sudden surge of infections globally created long lines and delayed results of RT-PCR tests. Because of this, there’s a growing demand for at-home COVID-19 tests. However, there is also an increasing possibility that those tests you bought might be fake. The Federal Trade Commission warned the public on January 4 about fake COVID-19 tests sold online.
The Food and Drug Administration announced in November that fake COVID-19 tests and treatments are circulating online. The FDA warned that people might be unintentionally spreading COVID-19 or not getting proper treatment due to unauthorized tests.
The FTC also shared some proven tips to ensure that you don’t end up with fraudulent COVID-19 tests, especially when shopping online.
Here’s what you need to know before buying at-home test kits:
Only buy tests that the FDA authorizes.
When choosing an at-home COVID-19 test kit to purchase, the FTC clarified the first thing to do is make sure it is an FDA-authorized test.
The FDA authorized several over-the-counter Covid-19 tests without a prescription. These OTC test kits allow schools, offices, and other groups to conduct rapid COVID-19 screening.
Antigen tests offer faster results and minor lab work. Such tests allow frequent testing, particularly for those asymptomatic individuals who are unknowingly spreading the virus.
According to FDA, rapid antigen tests will be helpful for serial testing. Serial testing involves “testing the exact individual several times within a few days. Such tests can increase the chances of detecting asymptomatic infection that might not always be seen with a single test.
The FDA maintains a list of authorized antigen test products here. The FDA has issued individual EUAs (emergency use authorization) for 43 COVID-19 antigen tests.
A list of authorized molecular test products can be found here.
For your safety, FTC recommends referring to the list of known fake COVID-19 products here.
Before you buy, check those lists to ensure the test you’ve chosen has received a EUA from the FDA. And more importantly, it is not on the FDA’s list of fake products.
It would help if you only bought from trusted sellers.
You can purchase FDA-authorized tests on trusted sites such as those for major stores and pharmacies. Here are some of the FDA-authorized home testing kits:
This kit comes with two tests intended for serial testing. You should test yourself twice within three days and at least 36 hours apart. Results are determined in 15 minutes, and the test can be used on two-year olds and above.
This test kit comes with a Bluetooth-enabled analyzer that requires a smartphone connection through the companion app to run and obtain results. The kit provides you with the materials to conduct one test using a nasal swab sample. The result of the test will be ready in 15 minutes. Ellume COVID-19 test kit can be used on two-year olds and above.
Quidel QuickVue is sold individually or in a pack of 45. This kit is intended for you to test twice over two to three days, with an interval of 24 to 36 hours. You collect a nasal swab sample and dip it into a solution tube with a test strip to do the test. Results are ready in about 10 minutes. The test kit is suitable for two-year olds and above.
Conclusion
While looking for rapid test kits, you might find yourself visiting resources that are not familiar. So, you’re using a site like Amazon, take note of the seller and manufacturer. Keep the list of FDA-authorized products handy to verify your purchased item.
The Federal Trade Commission recommends “verify a seller before you buy, especially if you are buying from an online store you don’t know.”