Authorities are concerned about the proliferation of unauthorized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test results and testing kits being sold.
According to the Department of Health, they are receiving reports of such modus operandi which will further add to the country’s pandemic problem.
DOH Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire further warned that there are also associated penalties for those who sell or distribute fake results.
“We have a way of tracking test results coming from our licensed labs. pangalawa, maaring mag cause pa ng harm sa inyo. kasi maaring bigyan kayo ng false results, eh ‘yun pala positive na kayo. o kaya negatibo kayo, eh ginamit niyo yang fake na yan, baka mapunta kayo sa mga wards o sa quarantine facilities na hindi naman dapat,” said Vergeire.
Nurse Alyssa Legaspi said that she was offered a fake RT-PCR Test result when she searched online for a facility for friends who wanted to take a swab test.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Legaspi recounted that a seller offered her a swab test result worth P2,500. The seller allegedly promised that she would not have to go to the clinic, and she would get a negative result immediately.
The fake also mimics the appearance of RT-PCR results issued by the Philippine General Hospital.
Unauthorized sales of RT-PCR tests, testing kits alarming – DOH
That is why PGH reminds the public to be careful with the suspicious RT-PCR report.
A swab testing center was also recently caught in Manila without the proper permit and was found to have been operating for three weeks.
The swab sample is sent to a clinic, and such a clinic will issue a certificate either positive or negative.
“Pinasara niya outright at pina-imbitahan ‘yung dalawang doctor na engaged nga sa pagsasagawa ng swab test. Yung sanitary nagkaroon ng caution. At the same time, nagkaroon ng violation dahil wala silang business permit,” said Police Lt. Col. Jhun Ibay, chief of Special Mayor’s Reaction Team.
Aside from unauthorized swab testing cites, antibody, antigen, and saliva sputum testing kits have also appeared on e-commerce and social media platforms.
The Food and Drug Administration warns that the online sale of COVID -19 -related testing kits – whether approved by the agency or not, is prohibited.