FDA grants EUA for COVID-19 and flu combo test with at-home sample collection
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first diagnostic test for at-home collection of patient samples to detect both COVID-19 and influenza A and B (flu), according to a press release from the agency.
The FDA authorized 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 healthcare 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.
As FDA Commissioner Stephen M. Hahn, MD, explained, “With just one swab or sample, combination tests that are authorized for use with home-collected samples can be used to get answers to Americans faster, in the comfort and relative safety of their home, which allows patients to continue to quarantine while awaiting results. This efficiency can go a long way to providing timely information for those sick with an unknown respiratory ailment.”
