About 60 Indian firms have got approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Orgsation (CDSCO) for RT-PCR testing kits for COVID-19. Out of the 60 compes, five firms got approval for indigenously manufactured kits and 55 others for imported kits.
Some of the firms that have received the approval are--Roche Diagnostic, Mumbai; Matrix, Chennai; S.D Biosensor, Delhi; M/S Gastro Lab Pune; M/s Gland Pharma Ltd,Telangana; M/S Fisher Bio Pharma Services Ahmedabad; M/S 3i Molecular Solutions,Banglore among others.
Earlier on Thursday, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, during a press conference in New Delhi said that RT-PCR tests are available at 292 government facilities and 97 private facilities across the country, while 49,800 tests were conducted in the last five days.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister had earlier asserted that the country will be able to produce indigenous coronavirus-testing kits by May.
"We will be able to produce RT-PCR and antibody test kits in India by May. All processes are in advanced stage and production will start after getting approval from ICMR. It will help us in meeting our target of one lakh tests per day by May 31," the Union Health Minister said.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday advised the State governments to go for the RT-PCR test, which "detects the virus early and is the best strategy to identify and isolate the individual."
( With inputs from ANI )