In a press release on August 25, 2021, the manufacturer Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that the FDA had issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test, which is the first at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen test to use computer vision technology in a smartphone to interpret and provide a digital display of testing results. This novel test does not need a prescription, require a laboratory, or result in a long wait for results.

The manufacturer developed this new quick, digitally read, lateral-flow antigen self-test to make COVID-19 testing faster and easier for individuals to complete in the privacy and safety of their own home. The test will initially be made accessible to businesses, schools, and governments looking to provide a self-testing option for employees or students.

The BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test uses a simple, pain-free nasal swab and an easy-to-use mobile app from Scanwell Health that yields reliable test results in 15 minutes. The app is available on iPhone operating system (iOS) and Android and provides step-by-step instructions on how to collect and transfer the nasal-swab sample to the test stick. The mobile device's camera then captures, evaluates, and interprets the results, eliminating the human subjectivity of a visually read test.

The BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test is designed to be easily performed at home by individuals aged 14 years or older using Scanwell Health's app. The test can also be used for children as young as age 2 years with samples collected by an adult. The BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test has not been fully cleared or approved by the FDA. This product has received EUA only for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens.

In the press release, Dave Hickey, president of Life Sciences for BD, stated, "The rise in COVID-19 cases from the Delta variant has increased the demand for at-home testing, and the BD VeritorTM At-Home COVID-19 Test is an easy-to-use test with definitive digital results that is ideal for use in the home. New mandates from governments and businesses are specifying the need for periodic testing for those who cannot or chose not to be vaccinated, and this new test may help businesses, governments or schools fulfill those requirements."

Stephen Chen, founder and CEO of Scanwell Health, added, "Accessible, rapid testing is an important tool for preventing outbreaks and limiting the spread of the virus. With the Scanwell app that provides digital, shareable results, the BD VeritorTM At-Home COVID-19 Test empowers individuals with the fast, actionable insights needed to help keep people safe."

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

« Click here to return to OTC Update.