PLANS to distribute free rapid antigen tests (RATs) to concession cardholders will be rolled out on a phased basis from 24 Jan.
Welcoming confirmation that the costs of the program will be split 50:50 between the Commonwealth and respective State or Territory Government, Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Trent Twomey, warned that sourcing adequate supplies would remain a challenge for pharmacies.
"This is a huge logistical exercise, at short notice," he said.
"Pharmacists are moving heaven and earth to source and stock adequate supplies of RATs.
"If stocks are not immediately available, we ask customers to be patient but to be assured we are doing all we can to match supply to the demand."
In a statement released following yesterday's National Cabinet meeting, the Guild confirmed it had reached an agreement with the Federal Government to supply free RATs to eligible patients.
"This will be a staged rollout in much the same way as the COVID vaccination was rolled out in stages, with some pharmacies participating from 24 Jan and the majority coming on board over the following fortnight," the Guild said.
Meanwhile, employee pharmacists' union, Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA) has called for the free concession cardholder RAT rollout to be conducted through other distribution points.
"We've got massive concerns about pharmacists' health and safety, because of increased workloads, but also the potential for people to go into pharmacies who may be unwell and potentially have COVID," PPA CEO, Jill McCabe, told Pharmacy Daily.
"Pharmacy owners have health and safety obligations, so we'd like to know what they're doing to protect pharmacists and other staff in pharmacies.
"Just because COVID is there doesn't mean their health and safety obligations have in any way deminished - they haven't.
"That's whay we'd like to see RATs distributed elsewhere - not just in pharmacies.
"It's just putting too much pressure on our working pharmacists."
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