Provision of Oral Fluid Collection Devices for UKHSA Scientific Use

About

Public Health England awarded a contract to Malvern Medical Developments Ltd for the provision of Oracol and Oracol+ oral fluid collection devices via Lot 1 - Diagnostic Goods and Services of the National Microbiology Framework.

These devices will be used for the collection of crevicular fluid for laboratory processing and testing for diseases, supporting the work of the National Infections Service (NIS) and the Schools Infection Survey (SIS) to enable further research into the direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate longer-term health surveillance among children and young people.

The Oracol+ features a unique design allowing fluid to be centrifuged directly into an attached microtube, eliminating the need for laboratory handling of the swab.

Malvern Medical Developments Ltd is the only manufacturer of oral fluid collection devices validated by the laboratory and used in the previous School Infection Survey.

The devices have been evaluated by the Oral Fluid team in the Virus Reference Department at Colindale and shown to be effective in the collection and recovery of circulating antibodies.

The Oracol range is particularly well designed for community use, with the swab incorporated into a pack for at-home saliva collection, and has been recommended as the preferred oral fluid collection device for studies involving children in the UK.

The contract value ranges between £542,000 and £782,000 (excluding VAT) based on an initial 3-year contract with an option to extend.