PRC officially rolls out saliva RT-PCR testing
The Philippine Red Cross officially launched its saliva RT-PCR testing Monday after completing and passing all the requirements.
PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sen. Richard Gordon demonstrated how to collect samples from saliva test and explained the procedure in the public launching.
Currently, he noted that a saliva test costs P2,000, which is cheaper compared to the RT-PCR swab test priced at P3,800.
“Kapag marami na ang nagpapa-test, puwedeng babaan (If more people would avail the saliva test, we can lower the cost in the future),” he added.
Gordon said that the PRC explored saliva RT-PCR test as an “alternative because it is non-invasive and less-stringent.”
Unlike the RT-PCR swab test, he noted that there is no need for a specimen collector to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE).
“The Philippine Red Cross brings RT-PCR saliva test to the country for the first time,” Gordon said.
“While waiting for the vaccine, the saliva test could pave the way to test more students, healthcare workers, factory workers, company employees, and other essential workers to help stop the spread of the virus,” he added.
Gordon noted that the saliva test uses less equipment and reagents making it cheaper.
“The sample processing time is shorter compared to other tests,” he said, noting that the turnaround time for saliva tests will also depend on samples being tested.
Lead researcher of the saliva test Michael Tee explained that the saliva test is “as accurate” as an RT-PCR swab test in detecting coronavirus infections.
“Based on our study, it is 98 percent accurate,” he said. “Over 1,000 samples were used during the pilot study to determine the accuracy of the coronavirus saliva test,” he added.
Currently, Gordon said that PRC is testing 9,000 per day.
“We have 13 laboratories across the Philippines and each machine is capable of 1,000 tests,” he said.
“We're expecting the number to double since saliva testing is cheaper than a swab test,” he added.
Testing czar Vince Dizon welcomed the roll out of the saliva RT-PCR test, adding that under the approval of the Department of Health (DoH), the saliva test “should be covered by the PhilHealth.”
On the use of saliva testing for returning Filipinos, Dizon said that they will also coordinate with the one-stop shop to deploy the tests in the airports especially for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
Gordon explained that the roll out of the saliva test became possible after the DoH COVID-19 Laboratory Expert Panel gave a positive recommendation leading to the approval of the use of saliva as an alternative specimen for RT-PCR testing among PRC laboratories.
In a letter from DoH Secretary Francisco Duque III, PRC was commended “for finishing the pilot implementation in a short period of time and complying with the initial recommendations provided by the Department.”
Gordon said that PRC has been in talks with DoH and the Food and Drugs Administration for the approval of the saliva test for public use.
The DoH recommended PRC to conduct a pilot launch of 1,000 tested samples for a full review.
Last Jan. 13, Gordon led the PRC saliva RT-PCR pilot testing joined by health frontliners and media practitioners.
Saliva test was explored and developed to a study protocol after PRC officials met with Dr. Diana Roana, a Filipino scientist working at the University of Illinois, Chicago last Sept. 4.
After the study of the test received approval from the University of the Philippines Research Board (UP ERB) for Ethics Review Board Clearance and Approval, PRC did a soft launch of the saliva test at the PRC Logistics and Multi-Purpose Center and tested 44 people.
A saliva testing site was also set up at Palacio de Manila in Malate, Manila which accommodated almost 200 tests every day, mostly OFWs.
“With the recent approval of the saliva test, PRC could collect samples from different schools, companies, and other collection sites for faster testing,” Gordon said.