The proportion of Home Test kits being returned is on an upward trajectory, and the DHSC continues to implement a range of measures to drive this rate further up. This includes (1)
Utilising the best behavioural science advice from the United Kingdom (UK) and
internationally to “nudge” and encourage users to return their kits; (2) Working with world leading medical device and ecommerce firms to understand and apply best practice from the private sector, as well as learning from experts in the charitable sector, like the Terence Higgins Trust; and (3) Continuously refining and improving the user journey to make it as simple and intuitive as possible.
Recovery of costs of lateral flow tests that did not meet Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) specification
DHSC has confirmed that it issued Purchase Orders totalling approximately £92m, which included DHSC’s standard conditions of purchase, including warranty. As outlined elsewhere, none of those tests ordered met the standards on specificity and sensitivity for clinical use (including by individuals at home), now set out in an MHRA specification.
However, a proportion of the tests are now being used for other purposes such as research. The value of tests being repurposed is around £3.3m.
Where tests are not being repurposed, to date, orders have been cancelled, with no liability to HMG, totalling c.£70m in value out of Purchase Orders representing approximately £92m. Negotiations are ongoing with other suppliers.
Strategy for developing testing capacity and offers from other labs
The UK’s coronavirus testing strategy has been led by the DHSC and has successfully delivered a very substantial increase in the national testing capacity and capability. PHE operates a reference laboratory for novel and dangerous pathogens and provides valuable scientific and professional advice to other laboratories.
It was DHSC therefore rather than PHE that took forward the work on developing the country’s mass testing capability, managed the interaction with industry and successfully created the current Pillar Two testing capacity. Since the testing programme began,
laboratory capacity has been enhanced through several different routes. For example, NHS and PHE capacity has been enhanced through a partnership with Roche. Three dedicated purpose-built laboratories have been stood up with support from Thermo Fisher. In addition, DHSC has capitalised on some of the numerous offers of support with laboratory capacity made by other institutions.
To consolidate work with industry and other partners on increasing laboratory capacity, Government held two roundtables in March first with Universities UK, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, and DEFRA institutions, and then with a wider group of representatives from major research institutes, universities and government departments.
The Chief Scientific Officer for England (Professor Dame Sue Hill) has established a technical assessment and validation team, and developed a detailed checklist and quality framework, to enable an assessment of the quality and operational capability of laboratories either partnering with the NHS or providing testing capacity.
