received the authorization request forms for the use of diagnostic kits intended for validation and local production of those tests, after holding a meeting with officials from the
In addition to the forms required to start the corresponding authorization process, the researchers also rely on the necessary documents to request the importation of materials and other supplies for production of molecular tests, as well as the criteria for manufacturing.
During the meeting, the health authority clarified the criteria for "exceptional authorization for the production / use of in vitro diagnostic tests at the research stage in situations of urgency or declared emergency."
In the case of new technologies, this procedure can be requested and granted before completing the clinical validation, as long as the preliminary results are subjected to evaluation, without requiring reproducibility tests in national or foreign populations, says the letter shared by the Peruvian scientist.
In addition, considering the prevalence of COVID-19 in Peru and taking as a reference the validation work done by the
National Health Institute (INS) —so that LAMP tests start to be used by the Ministry— the researchers concluded that the sample size for clinical (field) validation is less than 400.
The publication of such information by the
INS will be very useful as a reference to other projects.
Scientist Malaga-Trillo said that —at the meeting— they made clear the urgency of modifying the biosafety standards and accreditation of diagnostic laboratories as an essential condition to deploy their massive use nationwide, in urban and rural areas that have limited access to technology.