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Philippine Red Cross expects approval of COVID-19 saliva test within the week

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/01/20/20210112-red-cross-saliva-collection-md-05.jpg"/><figcaption>The Philippine Red Cross conducts its pilot run of COVID-19 saliva test in Mandaluyong City, Jan. 12, 2021. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Philippine Red Cross expects authorization of the saliva-based coronavirus testing within the week, one of its officials said Wednesday.</p><p>&quot;Inaasahan po namin within this week makuha namin ang 2 approval from FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and DOH (Department of Health),&quot; Dr. Paulyn Ubial told Teleradyo.</p><p>(We expect we will receive approval this week from FDA and DOH.)</p><p>Ubial, who leads PRC&#x27;s molecular laboratory, said the humanitarian organization had recently completed its pilot run of the saliva-based testing method from over 1,000 samples.</p><p>PRC also registered the kits they used in the testing to FDA for certification, she added.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/19/21/coronavirus-saliva-test-game-changer-for-philippine-pandemic-response-ex-health-secretary">Coronavirus saliva test game changer for Philippine pandemic response - ex-health secretary</a></li></ul><p>Should the Philippine government allow saliva test for COVID-19 diagnosis, Ubial said other laboratories could follow suit.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s a public document. It can be done by any laboratory. But the problem there is that they must use the same reagent as we are using. If they are using a different reagent, they have to do the same validation study that we did,&quot; she said.</p><p>The procedure is published in a paper released by the University of Illinois, which developed the saliva-based testing, she added.</p><p>Securing regulatory approval will also mean that the country can ramp up its COVID-19 daily testing, the former health secretary said.</p><p>&quot;Ibig sabihin, meron na tayong (It means we will have a) cheaper, faster, more convenient alternative which is just as accurate as the swab test or the gold standard,&quot; Ubial said.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3bFdzuyRYuU?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div> </div>

<p>The Philippine Red Cross expects authorization of the saliva-based coronavirus testing within the week, one of its officials said Wednesday.</p>

The Philippine Red Cross expects authorization of the saliva-based coronavirus testing within the week, one of its officials said Wednesday.