A woman gets tested for Covid-19 in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district. Heng Chivoan
Officers from the Directorate-General of Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression (CCF) launched a campaign on June 29 to enforce the Ministry of Health ban on the sales of Covid-19 antibody rapid test kits in markets and pharmacies across the capital.
Heng Maly, Phnom Penh branch manager of CCF, told The Post on June 30 that officers inspected 86 pharmacies around Olympic and Phsar Tapang markets in three districts – Boeung Keng Kang, Prampi Makara and Daun Penh.
“After inspecting and questioning vendors, we found that those pharmacies around major markets did not sell Covid-19 antibody test kits.
“Still, we reminded all the pharmacies not to sell the test kits without permission and that are not recognised by the health ministry,” he said.
He said officers also advised all traders and pharmacies that if they receive information or see Covid-19 antibody test kit being sold, they must report the incident to authorities or the health ministry.
In a notice earlier this month, the health ministry said Covid-19 antibody rapid test kits that are circulating in markets are not registered with the health ministry and not recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“The result from using this test is unreliable,” it said.
The ministry on June 21 announced the ban on distribution and sale of Covid-19 antibody test kits that are not recognised by the ministry, and also warned of strict reprisals on any private health services that continue to use them.
The ban comes after four Facebook accounts – bong pros ti pi, Leng Kuchnika Pol, Srey Nit, TMS-Trust Medical Services – sold test kits that did not have a registration number and without a permit from the ministry.
The ministry said that some private health services are also using these kits to test people.
WHO representative to Cambodia Li Ailan told reporters on June 23 that there was no need to test for antibodies after being vaccinated against Covid-19.
She said all vaccines administered so far have been recognised by WHO and have been scientifically tested and certified for their safety and efficacy.
