By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On April 14, 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization for the first Covid-19 diagnostic test that uses breath samples. The test, made by Texas-based company, InspectIR Systems, is authorized for those patients 18 and older.
InspectIR expects to produce approximately 100 testing instruments per week, which can each be used to evaluate approximately 160 samples per day. At this level of production, testing capacity using the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is expected to increase by about 64,000 samples per month, according to the FDA’s statement.
The Testing Requirements.
The test can only be performed in environments where the patient’s specimen is collected and analyzed, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, and mobile testing sites.
Additionally, the test must be performed by a qualified, trained operator under the supervision of a licensed health care provider or authorized by state law to prescribe tests. The test detects chemicals associated with the virus that causes the disease in a breath sample in less than three minutes. If it’s positive, it should be followed up by a molecular test, the agency said in a statement.
“Today’s authorization is yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for Covid-19,” Dr. Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, said.
Read the FDA’s press release and get even more information.
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Sources:
Helsel, Phil. “FDA authorizes first Covid-19 breath test.” NBC News. (April 14, 2022). Web.
Muller, Madison. “Breathalyzer Test for Covid-19 Wins Approval From FDA.” Bloomberg. (April 14, 2022). Web.
Mckinney, Jim. “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes First COVID-19 Diagnostic Test Using Breath Samples.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (April 14, 2022). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.
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