Sahpra approves local Covid-19 rapid test kits
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has authorised local biotechnology company CapeBio to manufacture rapid Covid-19 test kits.
The Covid-19 test kits, co-developed by CapeBio and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), aim to decrease the country’s reliance on imports.
“This is a massive achievement in the national response to the pandemic and a significant milestone for our country This will help to reduce South Africa's reliance on imports, making it easier for the country and the rest of the continent to gain speedy access to test kits,” says Daniel Ndima, CEO of CapeBio.
The company has already started industrial-scale manufacturing of the test kits at its Centurion facilities.
The first batches will be available for the local market before the end of August.
At full operational capacity, the company will be able to produce up to 5 000 kits a day, with each kit providing for 1 000 tests.
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