Page 8 - COVID 2021

GUIDELINES
ICMR releases guidelines to enhance availability of COVID-19
testing kits and newer innovative testing solutions in India
ICMR has proposed to exempt several reputed global agencies from validation criteria for RT-PCR, RAT, home-based testing solution, antigen, antibody ELISA and rapid antibody tests. It further proposed to accord marketing permission by the Drugs Controller General of India on the basis of existing approvals. Several global agencies of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, and the agencies listed in the World Health Organization's emergency use listing will benefit from this move. At present, kits approved by the US Food and Drug Administration under regular or emergency use are exempted from validation in India. It qualifies for direct marketing permission from the Drug Controller General of India. Moreover, this guidance is also applicable for tests using the nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, throat, nasal, oral, saliva, mouth rinse, gargle, blood, and serum samples.
Contact Info: drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in, ajaysinghdhama@gmail.com
Website Link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/kits/Guidance_COVID_testing_commodities_27042021.pdf
Office of the PSA releases home care tips for managing COVID-19
second wave
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India has curated information and brought a simple visual reference to manage mild symptoms of COVID-19 at home – “Home care tips for managing COVID-19”.
The reference advises people not to panic if they experience any COVID-19 symptoms, as the majority of people can manage their infections at home by following self-care measures. It lists the common symptoms of the disease and recommends that at the first sign of experiencing the
VIGYAN PRASAR 5