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Published
May 21, 2020
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Superdrug to sell antibody testing kit

Published
May 21, 2020

Superdrug is launching the first coronavirus antibody tests to go on public sale in the UK.


Superdrug


The testing kit costs £69 and requires users to take a blood sample at home. Samples are then sent to a UK-based lab for assessment. Results are available in two to three days, Superdrug said.

"We're launching a Covid-19  antibody test because we're confident of its accuracy and reliability," commented Michael Henry, Superdrug healthcare director​.

The test kit checks for coronavirus antibodies, which means it will be able to detect if users have had the infectious respiratory disease by checking to see if Covid-19 antibodies are in their blood.

If negative, it means the person has not yet had the virus. 

Superdrug said the test has a sensitivity of 97.5% and a specificity of 100%, offering “accurate and reliable” results.

But the jury is still out on the level of protection provided by antibodies, as some people who recovered from Covid-19 are claimed to have caught it again -- although these claims are themselves disputed. 

Superdrug medical ambassador, Dr Zoe Williams, said: “Receiving a positive antibody test result does not confer immunity, and it is important that people understand a positive test result does not mean you can be any more relaxed with the required hygiene and social distancing measures as set out by the Government.”

The testing kit is available via Superdrug’s Online Doctor Service.

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