Lateral flow antigen testing kits available

Lateral flow antigen testing kits are available for pharmacy teams in England.

All patient-facing staff will be able to test twice-weekly from home using nasal swabbing and report their results online. Any positive tests will need to be confirmed through a PCR test. The aim is to improve detection of asymptomatic COVID-19, so protecting teams and reducing transmission.

Tests can only be ordered on receipt of an invitation from Primary Care Services England and the final closing date for orders will be Wednesday 30 December.

Claire Anderson, Chair of the RPS English Pharmacy Board said:

“We very much welcome the allocation of lateral flow tests to help protect pharmacy teams. Being able to test regularly is a step forward in uncovering more cases, but is not the answer on its own. It’s important that teams still follow social distancing guidance, washing hands and other infection control processes where at all possible to also help reduce spread of the virus. I urge community pharmacies to sign up and order as soon as possible.”

Read the letter from NHS England and Improvement.