Closed call
Lateral-flow rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) continue to play a vital role in the management and diagnosis of infectious diseases including malaria, HIV, and COVID-19. Visually interpreted RDTs can be used at the lowest levels of healthcare and in self-testing. Their utility, however, is compromised every time a test is not performed correctly or its result is not available in a timely manner for clinical decision making and surveillance.
Companion tools for RDTs such as readers could promote more consistent, accurate test performance and reporting. These RDT readers may take the form of dedicated instruments or apps on mobile phones and tablets, whether for professional use or self-testing, and whether as an aid to clinical diagnosis or a non-clinical data capture tool.
The World Health Organization (WHO), with FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, is now seeking feedback on this Target Product Profile (TPP) aimed at guiding the development of fit-for-purpose readers from experts in the industry, product developers, the scientific community, implementers, clinicians, and health programme personnel currently involved in the management and control of disease.
Comments can be submitted to EDLsecretariat@who.int using the following form.