Merit Medical begins production of C-19 swab sample collections kits

Merit Medical Systems Inc., a South Jordan-based manufacturer and marketer of disposable medical devices, has begun production of a sample collection and transport kit comprised of a nasopharyngeal swab and transport vial used to collect specimens with suspected presence of coronavirus COVID-19. The kit will be produced at Merit’s facility in South Jordan with other Utah companies providing various services necessary for the manufacture and packaging of the kits.

For the past several weeks, officials from Merit and the state of Utah have been working together in anticipation of an impending swab shortage.

“We have directed resources to the development of this kit and our engineers, technicians, marketers and production staff have responded by working tirelessly to bring this important product to market in 30 days,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit chairman and CEO. “We are especially pleased to provide this kit at a time when testing is an essential element of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. We are increasing our tooling and production capacity to meet future anticipated demand.”

Merit has received its first purchase order for the product for $2.4 million from the state of Utah, Lampropoulos said.