Demand for antigen rapid test (ART) kits has surged in recent weeks as the number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore hit a record high for 2023.
Checks by The Straits Times on Dec 6 found several pharmacies and stores had run out of ART kits, and shelves remained bare the day after.
On Dec 11, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said retailers and pharmacies have sufficient supply and have placed fresh orders to meet the spike in demand.
ST spoke to experts to find out whether people can continue to safely use ART kits and masks even if they have expired, and whether the kits will still be effective when testing for infection with the latest Covid-19 variants.
Q What is the shelf life of ART kits and masks? A The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approves ART kits, has said the shelf
life of these kits is between four and six months from the date of manufacture.
However, shelf life can be longer than the given expiry date found on the packaging if the manufacturer finds that test results are more stable.
In that case, manufacturers can ask FDA to give test kits a longer shelf life.
Unlike ART kits, the shelf life of masks, and likelihood of extending their expiry dates, is unclear, said Professor Paul Tambyah, an expert in infectious diseases at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.
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Denne historien er fra December 18, 2023-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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