Responding to the threat posed by the global pandemic, COIVD-19; LASCO Distributors Limited (Pharmaceutical Division) in partnership with ROCHE Diagnostics is pleased to provide increase COVID-19 testing for the entire island using the COBAS 6800.
The COBAS 6800 machine recently installed at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) in Kingston was commissioned on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 when the first batch of COVID-19 test was done. The test is intended for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2, which causes the COVID-19 disease, in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples from patients.
Hortense Edwards (right) general manager at LASCO Distributors Limited – Pharmaceutical Division joins (from left) Michelle Mitchell-Archat, medical technology coordinator at National Laboratory Services; Microbiologist Dr. Rhea Goffe; Dr. Michelle Hamilton, director of National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) and Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-Mckenzie, chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness during the commission of the COBAS 6800 machine on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at the NPHL.
“LASCO Pharmaceuticals is proud of its role in this effort and remains resolute in taking steps to help Jamaicans stay healthy. We congratulate ROCHE for developing and delivering this new COVID-19 test. The machine is highly specific, fully automated and easy to use”, explained Hortense Edwards, general manager at LASCO Distributors Limited - Pharmaceutical Division.
COBAS 6800 is able to deliver 384 results in eight hours a total of 1152 tests in 24 hours. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton; Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie; Director, Dr. Michelle Hamilton and Mrs. Hortense Edwards were present to commission the COBAS 6800 machine for the first batch of COVID-19 tests.
As a top distributor in the Pharmaceutical Division, LASCO Distributors Limited has introduced a steady pipeline of new products which has led to with continuous growth overcoming economic and market challenges. LASCO and ROCHE Diagnostics and ROCHE Diabetes have been partners since 2007.