Japan Rakuten Suspends Sales of COVID Test Kits After 10 Days
Rakuten-Invested Genetic Testing Company Decides to Halt Kit Sales
Japanese Medical Association Raises Safety Concerns Over Sample Collection Process
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten has decided to suspend sales of COVID-19 test kits after 10 days.
On the 30th, Rakuten announced that the board of directors of 'Genesis Healthcare,' the developer of the COVID-19 test kits, approved a proposal to change the management system on the 28th, and accordingly, Rakuten will temporarily suspend the sales agency for the test kits. Genesis Healthcare is a genetic testing company funded by Rakuten.
Rakuten did not provide any additional explanation regarding the controversy over the accuracy of the COVID-19 test kits. However, it explained that sales are being suspended because it is necessary to verify how Genesis Healthcare will establish compliance systems and other measures under the new management system.
Earlier, the Japan Medical Association pointed out issues with the reliability of the test results from the COVID-19 test kits sold by Rakuten. The Japan Medical Association criticized, "Specimen collection must be performed accurately by professionals. There is a risk of infection during the collection process, and if it is not done in a proper environment, there is a concern that family members and others nearby could be infected," adding, "Using this test kit is a very serious problem."
According to Kyodo News, Rakuten stated, "The suspension of sales is not due to such (reliability) concerns."
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The COVID-19 test kits sold by Rakuten use the PCR method, which collects specimens from inside the nose or throat, extracts the virus, and amplifies its genes. The method indicates whether one of the COVID-19 detection genes is detected. The price is 14,900 yen (approximately 170,000 KRW), and Rakuten has been selling them to corporations since the 20th.
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