Home antigen tests are now available in South Africa. This comes more than two years after the South African Medical Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) first approved them for use by healthcare professionals only.
SAHPRA has issued a resale license for home use tests to Johannesburg-based TipTop Trade, which was the first in the country to receive approval to test for COVID-19 antibodies in July 2020.
While polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests remain the gold standard for accurately confirming a COVID-19 case, antigen tests are cheaper and faster.
In other countries, self-testing has become popular before major social events.
Gaby Fischer of TipTop Trade told Business Insider South Africa that the tests have been researched and are simple and easy to use.
Fischer also added that there is sufficient stock to supply the leading pharmacies and the tests will be on store shelves once the company finalizes the order and concludes distribution agreements.