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Don’t throw away your home’s COVID-19 test just because they say they’ve expired, according to a recent report from The New York Times.
Although test kits use similar technology to detect viral proteins called antigens, their expiration dates may vary because of how they are regulated, not because of any inherent differences in the tests themselves. Home Testing Technology and Chief Scientific Officer at eMed, a healthcare company that provides home testing kits.
In this photo illustration, a man uses a rapid COVID-19 antigen test kit at home.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates products, it sometimes allows manufacturers to perform “accelerated appointments” that speed up simulating conditions to determine a product’s shelf life, said Mara Aspinall, an expert in biomedical diagnostics at Arizona State University. It’s also on the board of OraSure, a company that conducts rapid COVID-19 tests.
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She noted that this process allows manufacturers to quickly learn in weeks if a product expires in months or years, but for testers doing COVID-19 tests at home, the FDA requires them to study them in real time, so the process needs to be more long time, according to reports.
” when [COVID-19] The test is new and valid for six months,” Mina added.
“But once you get to six months, the FDA can extend it. It happens so often that it’s very confusing. »
Youngstown Health Department staff member Faith Terreri collects two COVID-19 home test kits to distribute at a distribution event in Youngstown, Ohio, on December 30, 2021.
(AP Photo/David Demer)
As a result, at-home test kits, which may initially have a six-month validity period, may be extended as more stability test data become available.
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A spokesperson for the FDA told The Times to ask questions about the expiration date for home testing to be posted online here for antigen detection and here For molecular tests, check the regulatory filing for that specific test to see if the shelf life has been extended.
But navigating through FDA documents online is a confusing and time-consuming process, according to The Times.
A young man mixes a swab with a liquid during a corona rapid test.
(Photo by Karl-Josef Opim/Picture Union via Getty Images)
While health professionals don’t want to recommend outdated tests, they also don’t want to waste perfect tests. According to the outlet, the following is a more reasonable approach.
Keep the home test at room temperature in a dry condition, making sure there is no ice or heat that could affect test accuracy.
If you’re planning to order a free government test, the best time to do so is now before summer arrives to avoid them sitting in hot trucks for long periods of time.
When buying home tests, look for ones with a long shelf life.
If you are going to use a home test soon, remember to use an expired test first, but if you are using a test that has just expired, follow the instructions carefully and make sure the control line appears immediately, this is a sign that the test is still valid.
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“The reality is that these tests are very, very stable,” Mina said. “I expect most, if not all, to end up with at least two years due. If the inspection line comes up and is within 18-24 months of the production date, you should assume the test is working. »