PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) has announced that it will soon stop selling and distributing Covid-19 rapid test kits to ministries, institutions, companies, enterprises, factories, private hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, sub-pharmacies, distribution agents, and the general public. This announcement comes as the presence of Covid-19 in Cambodia has been seen to be on the decline.

Following a major outbreak of Covid-19 in 2021, the MPTC began importing Covid-19 rapid test kits and distributing them to institutions, ministries, pharmacies and the public starting from 1 July 2021. Test kits purchased from the Ministry were strictly prohibited for further resale and distribution.

The MPTC has sold Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits made in South Korea and in China, with the kits made in South Korea costing $3.7 dollars per box containing 25 tests, and the kids made in China costing $2 per box with 20 tests.

Rapid test kids have been sold at pharmacies costing between 6,000 to 8,000 riel per test, depending on the type and quality.

It should be noted that four types of Covid-19 rapid test kits have been approved by the Ministry of Health in Cambodia, including the Abbott Panbio Covid-19 Rapid Test Device, the Roche SARS-CoV 2 Rapid Antigen Test, the Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Test, and the INDICAID Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test.

Even as the MPTC will soon stop selling rapid test kits, it will continue to distribute Molnatris (Molnupiravir Capsules 200 mg) for the treatment of Covid-19 at post offices in every province.