Browns Pharmaceuticals launches ‘Dengue Rapid Test Kit’

Ishara Nanayakkara Chairman of Brown & Company PLC, welcoming the chief guest, The Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne

The Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, lighting the oil lamp

Browns Pharmaceuticals in partnership with InTec Products Inc., recently launched an affordable and quick self-test kit known as InTec Dengue Rapid Test Kit. The future of dengue detection will soon be as easy as self-administering a few drops of blood and diluent into the respective slots in the kit. Thereafter, the patient is able to detect dengue-specific antibodies within just 15 to 20 minutes. 

Patients are strictly recommended to carefully read all instructions and preparation methods prior to opening the pouch containing the test kit.

The event took place at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel on Tuesday 13 October, with Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne as the Chief Guest. Amongst the distinguished guests were Senior Consultant Paediatrician and Dengue specialist Dr. LakKumar Fernando, Regional Sales Manager Vivian Chen and Brown & Company PLC Chairman Ishara Nanayakkara, as well as the Board of Directors and Senior Management of Browns Group.

Established in 1989, Intec Products, Inc. is an organisation that is dedicated to serving healthcare institutions, clinical laboratories, blood banks and the general public with uncompromised quality products. With technology originated from the United States, the company has manufactured a broad range of clinical diagnostic products, which include EIA test kits/rapid test kits for infectious diseases, drug-of-abuse and pregnancy. 

Also the company has recently launched a series of new product lines including blood glucose monitoring system and molecular diagnostic kits and biochemical reagents. InTec holds state-of-the-art ISO9001 and ISO13485 certified manufacturing facilities in China and are able to provide excellent products at very reasonable costs. The organisation’s products are currently available through regional and local distributors in more than 50 countries worldwide and have established business relationships with several well-known international organisations.

This affordable early detection product, InTec Dengue Rapid Test Kit, designed and manufactured by InTec Products Inc., is capable of detecting dengue-specific antibody at the onset of secondary infections. As a result, the Test Kit is a valuable early diagnosis tool that would help to ensure timely treatment and proper care of patients.

Speaking at the launch Browns Pharmaceuticals General Manager Mangala Wijesinghe stated, “We have been in operation for over 23 years and hold market leadership in a related key business segment. In keeping with our expansion plan, Browns Pharmaceuticals division has ventured into a broader spectrum of operations with the launch of our first product, InTec Dengue Rapid Test Kit. We embark on this project with a long-term goal and aspiration in becoming market leaders in this business operation as well.”

Currently, dengue infection is diagnosed in the laboratory by testing the patient’s blood sample for the presence of dengue antigens or antibodies. The Rapid Dengue Test Kit method is more convenient and saves patients the ordeal of having to wait for days before results are out and the risk of realising dengue symptoms too late. Dengue, one of the debilitating viral diseases in Sri Lanka and is a burden on the country’s healthcare system, with annually reported cases of an average of over 35,000 during the last few years. Dengue fever and its more severe form, dengue haemorrhagic fever, are the most common mosquito-borne viral diseases in the world and is a leading cause of illness and death in tropical and subtropical climates.

Talking on the current status of dengue in Sri Lanka, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando had this to say;

“Early detection is key. A reliable solution that can quickly identify patients with primary or secondary dengue infections will help physicians improve clinical management of patients in dengue-endemic areas. Early clinical diagnosis and clinical management by experienced physicians and nurses increase the survival of patients. This is one of the benefits of Dengue Rapid Test Kit, which produces rapid and reliable results.” Dengue symptoms range from mild fever to severe headaches with muscle and joint pain. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is a potentially fatal complication primarily affecting children. However, as of yet, there is no specific antiviral vaccine or medication that has been developed to cure the illness. The average duration before symptoms develop usually ranges from four to six days, post infection. Early diagnosis will enable patients to take precautions and seek prompt medical attention and avoid serious or fatal complications. Sharing his sentiments at the event, The Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne stated: “Making public healthcare affordable and readily available, has always been a government’s responsibility and the public’s prerogative. The Dengue Rapid Test Kit comes in as the latest offering to ease the burden of dengue fatalities of every citizen alike. The Health Ministry has taken many steps in the past to curb this virus and have experienced progressive results. We are pleased that Browns Pharmaceuticals has taken an initiative towards this end.”