RATs can be the gold standard. That will not apply to all...

RATs can be the gold standard. That will not apply to all RATs.

It is important to disqualify tests where laboratory trial results can compromised easily in the field. That means the following forms of test should be identified as not being anywhere near the standard required. Tests that fall into this category and why are as follows:

• PCR - because if time to turn around an answer and the opportunity through logistics to have the sample adulterated or the result mucked up (e.g. ST Vincents Hospital debacle over Christmas).
• Lower sensitivity tests - the TGA have a list of authorised tests - only those classified as very high sensitivity over 95% are appropriate.
• Home tests - these are significantly compromised by the ability of the user to take a good sample. There are both natural difficulties with nasal and oral samples let alone the sampler being skilled enough to take a good sample. These facts were reaffirmed to me by a Pharmacist this morning
• Testing systems must have an ability to communicate individual results to stakeholders easily and quickly ( person being tested, employers, government health authorities for example), thus enabling good quality quick monitoring.
• Tests must test for the N protein common to all Covid 19 variants

You may ask what does this leave in the way suitable tests that meet these standards? The answer is POC tests that have the sensitivity and communication attributes. They do exist. There are only a couple that do. They can be easily and cheaply carried out at a Chemist shop ( a point agreed by the friendly pharmacist this morning)

Quidel Sophia test is one, approved by TGA in Sept 2020. The only other appears to be the ADO Eugeni test that TGA have been stalling for 3 months. The one clear difference between these tests is that the ADO system provides 1.25 hrs to read the result, due to greater stability, thus avoiding the need to redo a test.

If the ADO test was approved in the one month time frame that the TGA states and the politicians were properly briefed the situation that evolved over late December 2021 would not exist today. A lot of responsibility for the current predicament lies with health experts who did not fully understand the two rally good tools available and did not differentiate them from the plethora of lesser alternatives and the TGA who sat on the backside because there was not a push from the politicians. ADO management and board should be held partly accountable for not getting the message across well enough.