Availability of free Corona self-tests in pharmacies ‘tends to be better’

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Since early March, pharmacies have been offering five free coronavirus self-tests per person per month. The problem, however, is that the tests were out of stock shortly after the promotion started. Even now, they are still hard to come by due to supply issues. But “things are tending to get better,” according to a spokesman for the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists. Fix seems to be that there should be 3,600 tests this week for each of the 1,400 pharmacies in Austria.

The delivery problems and associated delays last week were “primarily obviously due to customs quarrels,” the Chamber spokesman said. Now the situation is to improve. In addition to the contingent of 3,600 tests per pharmacy that has now been promised in concrete terms – that is enough as a five-pack for 720 people – the tests from the delayed deliveries are also to be added.

The spokesman was unable to provide any more concrete information on the exact scale and timing of deliveries to pharmacies – only this much: “In general, the problems seem to be slowly being resolved. Whereby we can only judge this according to the feedback we receive.”

The spokesperson also announced that tests will now be delivered until market saturation. “It will continue to ship until everyone has something.” At that point, the plan is to switch to demand-based ordering by pharmacies.

Issue of free tests tied to e-card
The so-called living room tests are for all insured people 15 and older. The issue of the test kits is linked to the e-card. Customers can also take five free self-tests once a month for acquaintances and relatives. In such a case, however, the e-card must be brought along; it is inserted and read at the pharmacy.

Those who have made use of the “opt-out” from ELGA continue to be excluded from the campaign for the time being. The Ministry of Health is working on a solution for those affected. This was announced some time ago. However, it is not yet available: “A technically flawless solution is currently being worked on,” it said in response to an APA inquiry on Wednesday. It is not possible to say exactly when this will be found.