Hanmi Pharm Distributes SD Biosensor COVID-19 Self-Test Kits
Hanmi Pharmaceutical announced on the 29th that it held a supply contract signing ceremony with SD Biosensor for the 'Standard Q COVID-19 Ag Home Test' and will begin distributing the COVID-19 self-test kit. (Provided by Hanmi Pharmaceutical)
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Hanmi Pharm will handle the nationwide distribution of SD Biosensor's COVID-19 self-test kits to pharmacies and other outlets.
On the 29th, Hanmi Pharm announced that it signed a supply contract with SD Biosensor for the COVID-19 self-test kit "Standard Q COVID-19 Ag Home Test," which was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 23rd, and has begun full-scale nationwide sales.
The self-test kit is designed so that users can visually confirm positive or negative results within 15 to 30 minutes by dropping a specimen collected from inside the nose onto the reagent in the kit. If two red lines (control line C and test line T) appear on the kit, it indicates a positive result, and a formal nucleic acid amplification (PCR) diagnostic test must be taken. If only one red line (control line C) appears, it indicates a negative result, but if symptoms are present or infection is suspected, a formal diagnostic test should also be conducted.
Hanmi Pharm has started nationwide distribution of this product through its affiliate, Online Pharm, a company specializing in pharmacy sales and distribution. Additionally, to accommodate those suspected of infection who prefer non-face-to-face purchases, a system is being established to allow purchases through the Online Pharm shopping mall site, Pro-Cam.
Hanmi Pharm plans to post video tutorials on how to use the self-test kits on the company website, Pro-Cam website, pharmacist portal (HMP), and pharmacist-exclusive shopping mall HMP Mall.
A Hanmi Pharm official emphasized, “We expect that the self-test kits with excellent performance will help make the quarantine system more efficient. However, since self-test kits are supplementary tools, those suspected of infection with clear epidemiological links must undergo PCR testing at screening clinics operated by quarantine authorities.”
In addition, Hanmi Pharm has introduced professional antigen diagnostic kits developed by SD Biosensor and distributes them under the product name "Hanmi COVID-19 Quick Test" to medical institutions and general companies. SD Biosensor currently holds special approval to supply its self-developed and manufactured COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic kits for medical personnel as self-test kits in eight countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Switzerland.
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