Media Update, page-1453

12:06PM December 29, 2021

Morrison announces Feds and states will split the cost of antigen stockpile

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that Australia will ”very soon” have a national stockpile of 10 million rapid antigen tests, the cost of which will be shared equally between federal and state and territory governments.

So, after two years, finally, the government commits significant funding to self-testing and point-of-care public health programs. Along with their previous announcement to increase funding for tele-health, this bodes well for AT1.

In WA, they plan to overturn the ban in February. Currently there is a 10,000 dollar fine for using antigen tests.

“Antigen testing will become a cornerstone of life as the virus eventually spreads across the nation and will ultimately reduce the risk of pharmacy closures due to COVID-19 exposure and subsequent isolation periods for pharmacists and pharmacy staff,” PSA WA president Keegan Wong said.