Health ministry to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits

Aug 18 (NHK) - Japan's health ministry has decided to approve online sales of antigen coronavirus test kits if they meet certain conditions such as their accuracy is on a par with government-approved products.

Sales of the products at pharmacies have been allowed since late last year, as a special measure, on the conditions that pharmacists explain how to use them to buyers.

Experts have advocated that a system should be put in place so that people would always be able to acquire affordable kits.

They say this is because the need for proof of a negative virus test result is expected to increase, if economic and social activities pick up.

They also noted that the latest surge of COVID-19 infections in Japan has flooded medical institutions with patients and made it difficult for people to get tested. ...continue reading

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