Looks like you’re on the UK site. Choose another location to see content specific to your location

Home Industry News Over 90% of England-based community pharmacies distribute free rapid lateral flow tests

Over 90% of England-based community pharmacies distribute free rapid lateral flow tests

27th April 2021

As part of the Pharmacy Collect service, over ninety per cent of England-based community pharmacies distribute free rapid lateral flow tests.

On 29 March 2021, the service was added to the pharmacy contract as an advanced service, with community pharmacies claiming two hundred pounds if they signed up to implement the service by 18 April 2021.

Patients can collect one box of seven test kits free of charge as part of the service, self-administered by the patient. As well as a one-off set-up fee of £250.00, the pharmacies are paid £1.50 plus VAT per box of seven test kits distributed.

The Department of Health and Social Care stated: “Stock is being replenished to wholesalers on a daily basis with deliveries being made to pharmacies within a matter of days in order to meet demand.”

Director of NHS services, PSNC, Alastair Buxton, stated: “The fact that in a matter of days, well over ninety per cent of pharmacies have signed up to provide the service is a testament to the commitment of pharmacy teams up and down the country to support their local communities. Distributing test kits is a great way for the accessibility of community pharmacies and the relationships their teams have with the local community to be used to help the nation’s COVID-19 recovery effort, including supporting less well-served groups of the population.”

Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, stated: “I have been delighted at the level of interest and how fast the response has been from pharmacies to take part, with 9 in 10 registering to offer rapid test kits within 10 days. The testing only takes thirty minutes and will help people stop the spread of the virus, protecting families and communities and saving lives.”

We currently have 6 jobs available in Pharmacy industry, find your perfect one now.

Stay informed

Receive the latest industry news, Tips
and straight to your inbox.