Health ministry issues advisory on approved antigen test kits

The Japanese health ministry is calling on people to only buy coronavirus antigen test kits it has approved.

To prevent fever clinics from being overwhelmed in the event of a surge in coronavirus cases or a simultaneous outbreak of COVID-19 and influenza, the ministry is advising people with a low risk of developing severe symptoms to self-test at home instead of going to hospitals.

The ministry says authorized antigen test kits are available at pharmacies and online, but notes that unauthorized kits are also sold on major shopping websites.

Authorized kits are labeled "for medical purposes." They receive approval after passing the health ministry's efficacy screening.

Unauthorized products are labeled "for research purposes."

The ministry's website includes a list detailing the product names of authorized kits and where they can be bought. Officials are urging people to confirm the information before buying.

Toho University Professor Tateda Kazuhiro, a member of the government's coronavirus advisory panel, said some of the unapproved test kits have low levels of accuracy and can give false results. He stressed the importance of finding ways for people to easily distinguish authorized kits.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221116_08/