Global medtech company Meril, based in Vapi, Gujarat, on Thursday announced its self-use Rapid Antigen Test for Covid 19, CoviFind, has received approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The company claimed that its indigenously researched and developed test can detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus reliably in infectious individuals and can therefore be used for testing symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of confirmed coronavirus cases as specified by recent ICMR guidelines.

“The CoviFind test for at-home self-testing is highly effective in individuals with mid to high viral load, especially in detecting infection in the case of individuals more likely to transmit the disease to others,” the company said in a media release.

The test provides results in just 15 minutes and does not have any specific storage or refrigeration requirements, thus driving ease and convenience in distribution.
 
The test is priced at Rs 250 and will be made available as an affordable single-pack, with additional purchase options including a pack of 3, 5 and 25 tests.
 
The self-use test is to be used alongside the company’s official home testing mobile application, ‘CoviFind App,’ which will be available to download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store once the product hits the market.

The user-friendly app collects credentials and patient details, ascertains symptoms and offers a guided or quick test administration option. The guided test offers a step-by-step video breakdown of the process.
 
The company said it is employing a widespread distribution strategy to ensure access to rapid antigen testing across rural, semi-urban and urban regions of the country, including areas where laboratory testing options are limited.

The test will be available in two weeks at retail pharmacies, e-pharmacies, and through e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart, with Meril trying to expedite the process.

(SAM)