The share of the more affordable and more quickly antigen tests for Covid-19 more than the much more precise RT-PCR diagnostic tests has been increasing in the nation more than the final handful of months. But with the threat of a second wave of circumstances, this trend could reverse as state governments appear to rely much more on RT-PCR tests.
The Maharashtra government has mandated RT-PCR tests for folks getting into its borders from pick states through air, road or rail, with tests to be accomplished 72 hours prior to the journey.
Dr Nikhil Phadke, founder and chief scientific officer of GenePath Diagnostics, which has created and manufactures its personal Covid-19 RT-PCR test kit, stated that in the final handful of months, they had noticed a decline in RT-PCR testing as each governments and folks had been opting for the more affordable fast antigen tests.
“In the last few days, after the Diwali break, we are seeing an increase in RT-PCR testing again. We believe this is due to increasing infection rates, reducing cost of RT-PCR tests, and the much higher sensitivity and accuracy of these tests versus antigen tests,” Phadke stated.
Pune-primarily based molecular diagnostics firm Mylab Discovery Solutions is also seeing a renewed interest in RT-PCR test kits and machines, MD Hasmukh Raval stated. Mylab was the 1st Indian firm to make these kits indigenously and has also created its personal compact testing machine — an automatic molecular testing machine that reduces test time with minimal human intervention as nicely as errors. Mylab provides each RT-PCR and antigen testing kits and stated they will be nearing two crore tests in total.
A Mylab Compact XL machine has not too long ago been installed at Delhi airport. Raval stated the firm is creating compact mobile labs applying the Compact XL machine, which could be placed outdoors hotels, educational institutes and corporate parks. Mobile units are also getting planned for rural regions to let RT-PCR testing attain underserved shoppers, he stated.
RT-PCR tests had been highly-priced to start with, but the price has been coming down from about Rs 2,500 per test to a handful of hundred rupees, based on exactly where the tests are accomplished. Cost is now down by practically 80%.
According to Phadke, they have passed on the price reduction accomplished via R&D and nearby manufacturing operations to shoppers and sufferers. “Today, an RT-PCR test at our Wakdewadi (Pune) drive through facility costs Rs 850. Three months ago, the same test used to cost about three times as much. It is our mission to deliver high quality and affordable testing services to those who need them,” Phadke stated.
More than 140 corporations have regulatory clearance to provide Covid-19 test kits in India. A majority of them are foreign-origin corporations or Indian corporations procuring and trading these test kits. A tiny percentage of these are Indian corporations manufacturing and promoting indigenously created kits. Globally, the Covid-19 diagnostic industry is estimated to be close to $1 billion currently.