General News
21 January, 2022
Pharmacies continue to battle RAT shortage
Horsham pharmacies are predicting that Rapid Antigen Test kit shortages won't ease for some time.
HORSHAM pharmacies are predicting that Rapid Antigen Test kits will arrive in February but it would be some time before the shortage eases and there would be enough for everyone.
Horsham TerryWhite Chemmart owner Stuart Hall said while pharmacies had been able to place significant orders for tests the arrival date remained uncertain.
“We’re reasonably confident that stock will begin to come in February,” he said.
“It won’t be for another six to eight weeks before the shortage is over and there is enough for everyone.
“It’s a difficult time because we want to be involved in the effort but at the moment we can’t.”
Mr Hall said he had queries regarding a waitlist but that it was hard to put everyone on one.
“There’s no one in Australia, including Horsham, who doesn’t want one and we can’t put everyone on a waitlist,” he said.
“From January 24 tests will be free for concession card holders when they can get five tests at a time and ten in a three month period.
“The problem is no one will have stock when that starts and it’s possible it will start a wave of more people asking about them.”
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Horsham Amcal Pharmacy pharmacist and owner Carlie Streeter said the pharmacy did not have any RAT kits available.
“We had a drop about a week ago but they went to businesses on backorder who needed them,” she said.
“We have had none for sale for about three weeks.
“It’s been a real challenge for people who need them to be able to go back to work.”
Ms Streeter said they have kits on order and were expecting the stock to arrive in early February.
“The program for free tests for concession card holders begins on Monday (January 24) but we will not have any available for that day,” she said.
“They may turn up earlier than February but that is our expectation at the moment.”
Ms Streeter said she wanted to ask the public to try and avoid calling the pharmacy to check for availability.
“Calls about the tests are banking up our phones for doctors and sick patients to try and get through,” she said.
“People can follow our Facebook page for updates and there is going to be a site called Find a Pharmacy coming online soon that will show which pharmacies have tests available.”
Mr Hall said that the community could keep updated via the pharmacy’s Facebook page.
“Please be patient as we are doing our best and have thousands of kits on order, we just have to wait now,” he said.
“In the meantime, it would be best if people do not call as we have to keep up our normal services as well.”
The Victorian government has announced that millions of tests were set to soon arrive in the state, while 4.5 million tests have already arrived for healthcare workers and vulnerable communities.
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The distribution of free RATs was helping to reduce the pressure on the PCR testing system, where more than 80 percent of PCR tests are now being returned to Victorians within 24 hours.
The government committed that more than 2.2M RATs will have been distributed to health workers, staff in sensitive settings and vulnerable communities by January 21.
Victoria’s health services have been prioritised in the delivery of RATs, so staff at hospitals and GP respiratory clinics can continue to work safely.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the government was providing millions of rapid antigen tests to the Victorians who need it most.
“There are two critical ways we can drive our COVID-19 numbers down – get your third vaccine dose to better protect yourself and the community and isolate if you test positive on a rapid test or a PCR,” he said.
“It has never been easier to get your third dose.
“If you had your second vaccine dose in October, you can now go and get your third dose at a state-run centre.”
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People who test positive on a RAT must report their result to the Department of Health by visiting www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/report or calling 1800 675 398.
The Wimmera Health Care Group drive through testing service on Read Street, Horsham with the entry on Arnott Street is open 8am to 11am daily.
The Horsham Respiratory Clinic is open for COVID-19 testing on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday from 9am to 5pm, Friday from 9.20am to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 1pm and Sunday from 9am to 12.20pm.
Our COVID coverage has always been free to access and will always be free to access.