US FDA authorises 1st COVID-19 and flu combination test for use with home-collected samples

As the flu season progresses, the US Food and Drug Administration has authorised the first diagnostic test for at home collection of patient samples to detect both COVID-19 and influenza A and B (flu).

The US FDA authorised the Quest Diagnostics RC COVID-19 +Flu RT-PCR Test for prescription use with the Quest Diagnostics Self-Collection Kit for COVID-19 +Flu by individuals who are suspected of respiratory viral infection consistent with COVID-19 when home collection is determined to be appropriate by an individual’s healthcare provider.

Under a health care provider’s order, patients can collect a sample at home and ship it to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory for analysis following the instructions included with the self-collection kit.