The Hague — To help pharmacists advise people on COVID-19 tests, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), has today issued a guidance document. The guidance has been produced by FIP’s SARS-CoV-2 Testing Working Group, which has evaluated the diagnostic testing methods and devices currently available.
The document covers how different types of diagnostic test work and the interpretation of results. It also addresses the question of whether or not the presence of antibodies confers immunity to SARS-CoV-2, and makes recommendations on information to give to patients who have tested positive or negative.
“COVID-19 tests are available from many different manufacturers and the information in this document is intended to be useful to everyone, whether they provide point-of-care tests or not,” said Dr Julien Fonsart, working group lead and president of FIP’s Clinical Biology Section.
Tables summarise information related to:
• Diagnosis of current infection (with antigenic/virological/molecular tests);
• Diagnosis of past infection (serological, also called antibody, tests); and
• Specimen collection.
The guidance, produced with input from FIP member organisation the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, will be updated as more information becomes available.
