"Rapid test kit"

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cracking down on the sellers of fake antigen test kits (ATK) and other medical devices.

The Cabinet has approved in principle to give tax breaks to companies or juristic entities that purchase rapid antigen test kits (ATK) for employees.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) set up nine Covid-testing units in the city as of Sunday. Residents who wish to be tested must bring along two copies of their identity card and a pen to avoid having to share.

Antigen Test Kits (ATKs) to help the public test for Covid-19 infection is expected to be distributed from September 15, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said.

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) said 8.5 million antigen test kits will be distributed for free to Covid-19 high-risk groups in Bangkok.

Pharmacies nationwide will distribute 8.5 antigen test kits (ATK) to citizens in risk groups, the Pharmacy Council of Thailand said on Thursday.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO)’s deal for Chinese-made rapid antigen test kits (ATKs) came under question on Wednesday when PM Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted all ATKs purchased by Thailand must be certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Rural Doctors Society announced that the Lepu antigen test kits bought by Thailand were being sold for less than a dollar on Alibaba.

An antigen test kit (ATK) is essential to test for Covid-19 at home, but sadly the selling price in Thailand is high when compared to other countries.

The Commerce Ministry says it is working to set a standard price for Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits (ATKs) to prevent retailers cashing in on high demand.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) says it will purchase 8.5 million Covid-19 rapid test kits from the lowest bidder, saving 400 million baht in budget.

The Thai government agreed to allow the use of rapid antigen test kits for Covid-19 because the rate of false positives is low at just 3 per cent. However, these false positives can be caused by many factors.