Abbott has launched Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus in adults and children with or without symptoms. In alignment with the current ICMR advisory on self-use, these tests will be made available to ramp up testing of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals and contacts of confirmed coronavirus cases, a company statement said.

Abbott will deliver millions of Panbio COVID-19 rapid antigen tests available for self-use to ease the burden on healthcare systems in urban and rural India.

“India needs a clear, multi-pronged COVID-19 response strategy,” said Professor Nirmal Kumar Ganguly, former Director General, ICMR.

He added, “Scaling access to easy, accurate and fast testing can speed up the country’s preparedness and curb community contagion. Self-testing at home empowers individuals with the ability to carry out the first line of protection against disease transmission. This not only streamlines the process of isolation, tracing and tracking, but also supports people in taking charge of their own health and enhances participation of individuals willingly.”

In India, Abbott will offer self-tests for use at home, assisted professional testing at pointof care and laboratories, as well as workplace testing to help enable a sense of normalcy in returning to places of employment, said the statement.

“Rapid antigen testing is critical in the fight against COVID-19 and Abbott is delivering a variety of diagnostics options at a critical juncture in the pandemic,” said Sanjeev Johar, divisional Vice President, Rapid Diagnostics Business, Abbott, Asia Pacific.

“Self-testing is a proven tool that provides an added layer of defence along with public health protocols and the vaccine roll out,” he added.

The Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test is easy-to-use, and people can take the test by using a simple nasal swab (not the deep nasopharyngeal swab), the statement notified.