tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post348656360417080868..comments2024-03-29T05:46:24.412-05:00Comments on The Grumpy Economist: Test snafuJohn H. Cochranehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04842601651429471525noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-80704437973617765602021-04-02T08:14:44.788-05:002021-04-02T08:14:44.788-05:00The FDA now (April 1, 2021) allows two rapid antig...The FDA now (April 1, 2021) allows two rapid antigen tests for te novel Corona virus to be purchased over-the-counter (without prescription) at pharmacies for multiple serial testing at home. The news report from The Wall Street Journal is accessible to subscribers here:<br /><br />FDA Authorizes First Covid-19 Tests for Repeat, at-Home Screening https://www.wsj.com/articles/fda-authorizes-first-covid-19-tests-for-repeat-at-home-screening-11617296505Old Eagle Eyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05270080708077871311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-26384383458368939342021-02-19T09:39:41.111-06:002021-02-19T09:39:41.111-06:00I'm not sure what your point is Anon. I repor...I'm not sure what your point is Anon. I reported the exact conditions for purchase, for your information. I didn't say that I actually bought it, or that I made any false claims.Fred Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03329992677351139887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-60992389825085191552021-02-19T00:26:37.900-06:002021-02-19T00:26:37.900-06:00Mr. Goodman.
This is the second paragraph of the ...Mr. Goodman.<br /><br />This is the second paragraph of the December 16th article you refer to. What part of "with a prescription through a virtually guided online service" did you find confusing? And you say that you bought it, but had to falsely claim you were symptomatic to be able to buy them.<br /><br />"Today we’re pleased to say that our widely-used BinaxNOW rapid test, the size of a credit card and requiring no instrumentation, has received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use at home with a prescription through a virtually guided online service."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-4386586346266119392021-02-17T11:56:44.643-06:002021-02-17T11:56:44.643-06:00Forgot to add, related interesting news. The Germ...Forgot to add, related interesting news. The German minister of health has stated that rapid tests are to be available to all German citizens without cost beginning March 1, but at first only from qualified providers -- e.g. pharmacies-- and not as home tests. <br /><br />https://www.zeit.de/wissen/2021-02/corona-pandemie-schnelltest-jens-spahn-virusFred Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03329992677351139887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-55219041383596190772021-02-17T11:44:54.142-06:002021-02-17T11:44:54.142-06:00To BC (and to Dr. Cochrane): There is nothing at ...To BC (and to Dr. Cochrane): There is nothing at all in the quotes from the WSJ article (which detailed failures in the distribution and use of US government purchased rapid tests) supporting Dr. Cochrane's conclusion that the test was not also available for individual purchase. It took me only a couple of minutes of internet search to find that Abbott has been offering the test to the public since mid December. Since yesterday, I followed through and discovered (as did Anonymous) that the test is being offered in bundles of 6 at the price of $150 without prescription, but with the requirement that the purchaser checks off boxes reporting at least some symptoms. Maybe you are not satisfied with the conditions or the price, but this is not a false lead. What in my opinion is Dr. Cochrane's responsibility? Since he has taken on the role of reporter and commentator, with special insight derived from his economic expertise, at least basic fact checking of his own assertions, to the extent that he cannot quote a reliable source, is certainly required. I'm sorry, but it's kind of obvious that he didn't put in the least effort. Fred Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03329992677351139887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-21153157898986968032021-02-17T06:31:07.735-06:002021-02-17T06:31:07.735-06:00I registered, and was offered only a bundle of 6 k...I registered, and was offered only a bundle of 6 kits for $150. No Rx required. Didn't order, because I have had 2 doses of Pfizer vaccine, the latest one 3 weeks ago. I might self-test soon, if I can find 5 people who want to do the same!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-45041532033729798332021-02-16T23:33:05.474-06:002021-02-16T23:33:05.474-06:00Requires prescription and for *symptomatic* patien...Requires prescription and for *symptomatic* patients: https://www.fda.gov/media/144574/download<br /><br />Also, if you want to contradict Cochrane's (apparently true) claim that the federal government has blocked convenient at-home testing, it really falls on you to point to counterexamples: either show that people that are doing it or show that it could easily be done. It's actually doesn't fall on Cochrane to hunt down every false lead to show that they're false.<br /><br />BChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07116006121660059415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-46899590420888174862021-02-16T23:16:07.050-06:002021-02-16T23:16:07.050-06:00I believe the Federal government bought up the ent...I believe the Federal government bought up the entirety of the first few months of production. Production is up to 50M tests per month now, initially slower. Even at 50M/month, the Fed's order of 150M would have been 3 months worth.BChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07116006121660059415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-32223129517498282542021-02-16T18:58:32.044-06:002021-02-16T18:58:32.044-06:00But why do you say "finally!"? The anno...But why do you say "finally!"? The announcement of the availability of the test is dated December 16. You didn't do the minimum of fact checking. Admittedly, there could be catch. How about you complete your own research and report back.Fred Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03329992677351139887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-4500967766861189722021-02-16T17:34:47.877-06:002021-02-16T17:34:47.877-06:00Still requires a prescription, based on the link a...Still requires a prescription, based on the link above.Bob Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-76553272695406699412021-02-16T17:29:32.121-06:002021-02-16T17:29:32.121-06:00Finally! If anyone has successfully bought one let...Finally! If anyone has successfully bought one let me know. John H. Cochranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04842601651429471525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-17976092911640476562021-02-16T14:38:56.943-06:002021-02-16T14:38:56.943-06:00The test is available to the public for home use, ...The test is available to the public for home use, at a price of $25. https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom/diagnostics-testing/new-at-home-covid-test.htmlFred Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03329992677351139887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-42227850314432283292021-02-16T13:00:05.714-06:002021-02-16T13:00:05.714-06:00This is another example, of America's main pro...This is another example, of America's main problem how to have an effective government this is efficient enough to react in time to crisis situations. One of the significant causes of this problem was W Bush's dramatic expansion of politically appointed positions and general attack's on career bureaucrats - believe it or not I do think it takes time to understand how to make government work. Confusing laws - example I went to the DHS manager of the county food stamp program he showed a good sized bookcase - he said those are are laws and regulations covering food stamps. You can almost justify almost anything quoting one or more of those regulations. Because of situations like that you get the government responses noted in your article. Keep up the good work - we need to focus on real problems!rodger chineryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15550315926929889739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-582368152716771238.post-87361955654736767032021-02-16T11:55:58.498-06:002021-02-16T11:55:58.498-06:00If the test was approved by the FDA (presumably it...If the test was approved by the FDA (presumably it was since Abbott can sell the test, at least to the federal government), what prevents Abbott from selling the test more broadly?Julien Couvreurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158751165174523704noreply@blogger.com