US FDA authorises 1st COVID-19 and flu combination test for use with home-collected samples

Read Article

As the flu season progresses, the US Food and Drug Administration has authorised the first diagnostic test for at home collection of patient samples to detect both COVID-19 and influenza A and B (flu).

The US FDA authorised the Quest Diagnostics RC COVID-19 +Flu RT-PCR Test for prescription use with the Quest Diagnostics Self-Collection Kit for COVID-19 +Flu by individuals who are suspected of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19 when home collection is determined to be appropriate by an individual’s healthcare provider.

Under a health care provider’s order, patients can collect a sample at home and ship it to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory for analysis following the instructions included with the self-collection kit.