India’s first indigenous home-based rapid Covid test launched commercially

According to the company, the product should be available in retail within 2-3 days. The company plans to make the products available on the government e-marketplace (GEM)

Published on: Jun 3, 2021, 17:51:11 IST

By Rhythma Kaul

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India’s first indigenous home-based coronavirus disease (Covid-19) rapid testing kit that detects the virus within 15 minutes has been commercially launched, and will be available at chemist shops across the country in the next two-three days, its maker, Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd, announced on Thursday.

The kit is called CoviSelf, and costs ₹250 per unit.

“Mylab Discovery Solutions…. announces the commercial launch of its Covid-19 self-test kit, CoviSelf, after receiving approval from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). It is the first test kit for Covid-19 that can be self-administered by citizens at home, in India. This indigenous test kit will be distributed through to 95% of the PIN codes in the county and will be available over-the-counter at pharmacies and drugstores across India,” the company said in a statement.

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On May 19, ICMR allowed the home-based rapid antigen test (RAT) to detect Covid-19 to be sold commercially. It can be administered much like the home-based pregnancy test kits.

Individuals can also order the test kit online through some e-commerce platforms.

The company will roll out 1 million self-test kits starting Thursday, and based on consumer demand, it will make 7 million units available per week. According to the company, the product should be available in retail within 2-3 days. The company plans to make the products available on the government e-marketplace (GEM).

The kit can be used by individuals with or without symptoms and immediate contacts of confirmed patients, as per the ICMR guidelines. Designed as the mid-nasal swab test, it can detect the virus in just 15 minutes. Each unit contains a testing kit, instructions leaflet and a bag to safely dispose of the used contents after testing. One kit can perform one test.

“Self-testing should slow down the spread of Covid-19 significantly. We aim to make CoviSelf available across the country, especially for people in rural areas who have limited options for testing,” said Hasmukh Rawal, managing director of Mylab Discovery Solutions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhythma Kaul
Rhythma Kaul is the national health editor of the Hindustan Times. She has been reporting on public health, medicine, and medical research, with a particular focus on how government decisions and health system reforms shape people’s lives. Rhythma has over 25 years of journalistic experience. She joined Hindustan Times in 2008, and has since covered everything from pandemics and infectious diseases to cutting‑edge medical research and climate‑related health challenges. Her stories routinely track the work of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, department of pharmaceuticals, and key national health programmes, making complex medical science and policy accessible to a wide audience. One of her prominent news breaks has been the 2012 Baby Falak case: A two-year-old brutally battered baby girl was admitted to AIIMS-Delhi with severe head injuries, multiple fractures, human bite marks, and burns. The police investigation revealed this to be a case of multi-state human-trafficking racket. She was profiled by The Wall Street Journal for breaking this story. Rhythma holds a Master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Prior to Hindustan Times, she worked with the India Today Group. Rhythma can be contacted at rhythma.kaul@hindustantimes.com. Her X handle is @RamblingBrook.Read More

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