In Alberta, you will now have to pay between $5 to $10 to obtain a rapid COVID-19 screening test in a pharmacy, as the federal government ended its program to supply the provinces and territories with tests on October 1. free antigens.
According to an Alberta Health spokesperson, the province had already received its entire allocation of free tests, which it distributed throughout the network of pharmacy wholesalers where citizens go to get tested without loosening purse.
However, most pharmacies no longer have free test kits, and Health Canada says it does not plan to replenish new stocks.
I still get phone calls and people asking for kits [de tests] says Heba Elbayoumi, pharmacist and owner of Heathers pharmacy in Calgary, who says she no longer has free tests in stock.
She hasn’t been able to order any for several months. Meanwhile, COVID-19 case numbers and positivity rates are on the rise.
The temperature drops and viral infections develop. It is therefore essential that Albertans have decent access to COVID-19 testing kits.
A quote from Heba Elbayoumi, pharmacist
At Two Pharmacy in Cochrane, pharmacist Ian Kruger is in the same situation: It’s been months since we’ve had a delivery. We donated all state-funded medicines.
We still receive several requests per week, from people looking for tests, he said, adding that it is a shame that people, who are only looking to confirm whether they have COVID-19 or not, cannot do so. TO DO.
Still a few stocks for the lucky ones
According to the provincial Ministry of Health, supply is certainly limited at the moment, but a number of pharmacies continue to have free rapid antigen tests available to Albertans.
The province has indicated that residents can consult this map (New window)for a list of pharmacies that still have free rapid COVID-19 tests available.
CBC/Radio-Canada contacted a number of pharmacies on this list, but most no longer have them. Those that have them are about to run out of stock, while others have expired boxes in stock.
An Edmonton pharmacy said it has about three dozen test kits in stock, however the expiration date is December 2024.
If Albertans are unable to find a pharmacy offering free rapid antigen testing, they can choose to purchase a testing kit from a pharmacy or online retailer.
A quote from Alberta Health
Some, but not all, pharmacies order private stocks of rapid tests and sell them. Prices vary between $5 and $10, according to what CBC/Radio-Canada has observed.
Furthermore, pharmacists fear that people will no longer bother to take the screening test if they have to pay out of pocket, because it would constitute an additional expense, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable populations, such as explains pharmacist Heba Elbayoumi.
The Ministry of Health said PCR tests are still available for people who are at risk of becoming seriously ill, if the test is necessary for their medical care, and also to control outbreaks in high-risk facilities.
With information from Jennifer Lee
