Selected pharmacies to stock Covid-19 rapid antigen testing kits

Covid testing kits will soon be sold at selected pharmacies across the country as Australia continues to reopen.

Pharmaceutical company Roche Diagnostics Australia confirmed the Roche SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-test nasal kit would be sold at more than 500 pharmacies in NSW, Victoria, ACT and Queensland from November 1.

The test comes in a pack of five tests for a recommended retail price of $54.50.

It will be available at Chemistworks, Blooms The Chemist, Terry White Chemmart, Capital Chemist, Pharmacy Choice and Health Save Pharmacy stores.

Roche Diagnostics Australia managing director Allison Rossiter said the kit was designed for unsupervised testing for people aged 18 years and older.

For children under 18, the test must be performed by an adult or under close adult supervision.

“The Roche SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self-Test Nasal kit is simple and comfortable to use, as the swab only has to be inserted into the nostril, not the deep nasopharyngeal cavity, like many PCR tests,” she said.

“It detects a protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which if present, causes a reaction that forms a coloured line in the test device, like a home pregnancy test.

“These tests can assist in the management of Covid-19 and will allow Aussies to take quick action to help protect co-workers or loved ones.”

People who return a positive rapid antigen test result would then need to present to a Covid-19 testing station for a standard PCR test.

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On Wednesday, Coles announced the Hough Pharma Covid Antigen Nasal Test would be sold behind service desks at selected stores and online as early as next week.

While the Chinese-manufactured test, one of eight approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, would also be on shelves at selected Woolworths stores from early November.