Vulnerable Australians will be put at risk by the Federal Government’s decision not to extend the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) Concessional Access Program beyond the end of July, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) warns. 

Speaking on 3AW earlier today, Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, said he thought it was “about the right time” to end the scheme. 

“The price has come down dramatically,” he said. 

“They were running on average at sort of $24 - $25 per test if you could get them in January, to now down to about $8 a test.

“Pensioners and concession cardholders can still get their allocation of up to 10 tests before the end of this month, which should carry them through for a period of time.”

However, PSA National President, Dr Fei Sim, said the move sent the wrong message to the public. 

“The pandemic is not over, and the threat of serious illness is still there for many vulnerable people in our communities,” she said. 

“Testing remains a vital part of our COVID-19 response. 

“Let’s not forget that case numbers and hospitalisations are still rising every single day. 

“Governments should be encouraging more testing, not less.”

Dr Sim noted that having a positive RAT or PCR test was a requirement for patients being able to access antiviral medications.

More details in tomorrow's issue of Pharmacy Daily.