To help pharmacists advise people on COVID-19 tests, FIP has today issued a guidance document produced by its SARS-CoV-2 Testing Working Group, which has evaluated the diagnostic testing methods and devices currently available. 

The document covers how different types of diagnostic tests work and the interpretation of results. It also addresses the question of whether or not the presence of antibodies confers immunity to SARS-CoV-2, and makes recommendations on information to give to patients who have tested positive or negative.

“COVID-19 tests are available from many different manufacturers and the information in this document is intended to be useful to everyone, whether they provide point-of-care tests or not,” said Julien Fonsart, working group lead and president of FIP’s Clinical Biology Section.