Britain extends approval for rapid COVID test after U.S. rebuke

CarbonMeta Technologies

17/06/2021 14:06

LONDON, June 17 (Reuters) - Britain's medicine regulator on
Thursday extended the emergency use approval (EUA) for Innova's
lateral flow COVID-19 tests, saying it was satisfied with a
review of the tests after its U.S. counterpart issued a warning
about them.
    Innova's tests have been approved for asymptomatic testing
as part of England's test and trace system.
    Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urged
the public to stop using the test, warning its performance had
not been adequately established.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nFWN2NS0W3
    "We have now concluded our review of the risk assessment and
are satisfied that no further action is necessary or advisable
at this time," said Graeme Tunbridge, Director of Devices at the
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
    "This has allowed us to extend the EUA to allow ongoing
supply of these LFDs over the coming months"
    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said regular,
asymptomatic testing as a big role to play in reopening the
economy. However, some scientists have questioned the accuracy
of the rapid tests being used in Britain, saying that they might
do more harm than good.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N2LM68M
    Public Health England has said the tests undergo rigorous
validation, and can help stop outbreaks by picking up undetected
cases of COVID-19.

 (Reporting by Alistair Smout; editing by Michael Holden)
 ((alistair.smout@thomsonreuters.com; +44 207 542 7064; Reuters
Messaging: alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))