Pro-Lab Diagnostics is engaged in the development, manufacture and supply of In vitro diagnostic kits, reagents and associated apparatus globally with its head office in Toronto, Canada. Its European division is situated on the Wirral in the north-west of England. The UK facility is now designated and identified as an essential/critical supply company to the NHS and all precautions and guidelines are in place for the wellbeing of its laboratory, office and administration staff.
A full policy statement has been issued to all staff and a full pandemic response plan implemented. Pro-Lab has a robust contingency plan in place, with daily review meetings to ensure that business and customers are kept up to date and prepared at all times as this fluid situation unfolds.
The supply of vital RT-PCR testing kits for SARS-Cov-2 to over 20 NHS laboratory testing sites across the UK is being coordinated from the Pro-Lab Diagnostics UK facility. Furthermore, the company is working closely with NHS laboratory managers, Public Health England, the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) and the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA).
Without doubt, the NHS is doing a fantastic job and deserves all of the support it receives and the thanks that are given. The UK IVD manufacturers are also doing an excellent job and are very tightly aligned to the NHS in the development, manufacture and supply of essential kits, reagents and equipment needed by the NHS laboratory staff to combat the outbreak with essential testing.
Working closely together, and with excellent support from BIVDA, the industry will continue to invest and maintain manufacturing and supply chains in all areas until as a nation and throughout the world, we all overcome the pandemic that we are faced with.
Pro-Lab Diagnostics wishes everyone safe passage during the unprecedented times we are all facing with the current coronavirus outbreak to all industry colleagues, customers and readers of Pathology in Practice.