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Covid-19: a laboratory defends the use of multiple screening tests

2021-11-03T09:12:27.265Z


Inovie calls for the “rapid integration of multiplex PCR tests into the nomenclature of medical biology acts”, while the epidemic is gaining ground in France.


Can the extended use of so-called multiplex tests - which can detect several diseases in a single sample - strengthen the arsenal of the authorities in the face of the resurgence of the epidemic?

A laboratory thinks so.

This Tuesday evening, in a letter addressed to the Ministry of Health and to Matignon, the Inovie group, which represents "

18% of private medical biology activity in France

", defends the use of these samples and their support to "

ramp up

" a French screening policy weakened by the effective delisting since mid-October.

Read alsoEnd of free anti-Covid tests: the fall in demand is confirmed

While the epidemic has started slowly but surely for several weeks, the number of tests carried out each day has fallen sharply since mid-October, recalls the group: the end of free access has thus reduced the number of RT-PCR tests carried out at Inovie by “

50%

” since the summer, he notes. A trend also observable, at smaller scales, throughout France. However, it is "

essential to relaunch the other pillar of the fight against Covid-19 which is the national screening strategy

", argues the company, because it is an integral part of the arsenal against the epidemic .

For the laboratory, the increased use of so-called “

multiplex

tests

, which make it possible to detect several diseases in a single sample, would make it possible to do “

better

” and strengthen the effectiveness of the tricolor testing policy.

Inovie therefore asks for the “

rapid

integration

of multiplex PCR tests into the nomenclature of medical biology acts

”, so that these are covered by Medicare and can be offered more widely to the population coming to be tested. .

What "

improve the care of patients to prevent a risk of overcrowding emergencies and town offices

," argues the laboratory.

Read also Influenza, Covid-19, bronchiolitis: a high-risk winter cocktail

Inovie supports the delisting of tests and calls above all on the French to be vaccinated against Covid-19, underlines in

Figaro

the CEO of the group, Thomas Hottier. But, today, the nomenclature of acts of medical biology evolves slowly, and these multiplex tests are reimbursed only in certain cases, whereas they could constitute an effective weapon against the epidemic and winter illnesses. In a period of resurgence of traditional diseases, it might be logical to offer the French to be tested for other viruses and bacteria at the same time as for Covid-19 thanks to a single test, argues the leader, who wishes “

Adapt the screening strategy according to the context, the behaviors

” and the time of year.

Technically, laboratories are able to quickly set up these tests, in two months at most. But extended support by the public authorities would help boost demand, making the operation economically viable for the various players: “

for this to be possible, these tests must be reimbursed as quickly as possible. 'indications

', notes Thomas Hottier.

Taking charge of these tests would also strengthen the population's interest in screening. The cost for the State portfolio should remain limited: "

if we remain on the four, five most common winter respiratory viruses and there is a certain volume of demand, it should not cost much more

", and will allow better detection and better care of patients, explains the CEO. A way, too, to reduce the pressure on doctors' offices, which are generally crowded at this time of year.

In October 2020, the High Authority for Health had ruled that there was indeed an “

interest in looking for one or more viruses of winter respiratory infections (including influenza) in association with a search for SARS-CoV-2

”, but in only certain patients: those symptomatic, for whom "

the result will be useful in determining the nature of the

treatment

and a particular isolation

", including residents in nursing homes.

For the general population, "

only a detection test for SARS-CoV-2

" remains indicated, the detection of other diseases having a low impact on the care of the patient, underlined the institution.

"

It would be a shame if the screening was limited, otherwise we will go straight to problems

», Replies Thomas Hottier.

In the longer term, Inovie wants the nomenclature to evolve more quickly, in order to stick more to current events, by removing tests that are no longer recommended, and by adding those that become more useful depending on the context.

Source: lefigaro

All business articles on 2021-11-03

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