Ministry Of Health Says BioSaliva COVID-19 Test Has Been Used At Health Facilities, The Price Is Similar To PCR Swab Test

PT Bio Farma produces a COVID-19 test kit called BioSaliva (Youtube BIOFARMA)

JAKARTA - PT Bio Farma produces a COVID-19 test kit called BioSaliva. Unlike the swab, this real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kit is used by gargling.

Director of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control of the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) Siti Nadia Tarmizi said the BioSaliva test had been used in a number of health care facilities (Faskes).

"This is a sampling device by gargling. So, of course, it can be used in health care facilities. In private examination laboratories, it may have been widely used", said Nadia to VOI, Monday, September 6.

Nadia said that the tariffs that apply to the BioSaliva test are similar to PCR swabs. This is because the method of examining samples from the two test kits is the same.

"The inspection fee refers to the highest retail price, which is IDR 495.000 in Java and Bali, and IDR 525 thousand outside Java and Bali", said Nadia.

"The method of examining BioSaliva specimens is the same as the PCR examination. So, the only difference is in the way the specimen is taken. BioSaliva uses a mouth rinse, previously with a swab", she continued.

As is known, BioSaliva is used to detect COVID-19 by gargling in the inner throat. BioSaliva users are advised not to eat and drink, smoke, gargle with mouthwash for 1 hour before gargling.

Before gargling, BioSaliva users are encouraged to take a deep breath, then cough slightly to expel the phlegm without expelling it. Next, put the mouthwash provided in the BioSaliva package into the mouth and start gargling on the inside of the throat.

Then, remove the mouthwash from the mouth into the container and mix it with the mixing solution that is also available in the package. Then, shake the closed container and the sample is ready to be tested in the laboratory.

Each package of BioSaliva contains instructions for use, one mouthwash container, one mixing solution container, and one funnel.