Chris Brooker08/09/2021Australian Journal of Pharmacy has shed...

Chris Brooker08/09/2021

Australian Journal of Pharmacy has shed some light on the recent topic of rapid antigen tests discussed at a special Estimates hearing of the Senate Community Affairs Committee late last week.

Rapid antigen tests: the PSA says pharmacies need them to remain open, while TGA warns against their widespread use


The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s NSW branch has called on the state government to introduce funded Rapid Antigen Testing for pharmacists and their staff to ensure the vital care they offer to the community can continue.PSA NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, said: “As we move into a new phase of the pandemic with significantly higher case numbers, Rapid Antigen Testing will need to play a significant role in reducing isolation periods of pharmacists and identifying infection prior to onset of symptoms in high risk settings.”Ms Felkai said the tests were “desperately needed” in rural areas especially.


Personal comment - I find the logic of the TGA baffling.
Dr Skerrit from TGA says
“At the moment, for example, you wouldn’t want to have symptomatic people going into a pharmacy when pharmacists and their staff and other customers are not in full PPE—gowns and masks and face shields—to have a rapid antigen test. You want those people to go to a PCR testing centre if they’re symptomatic,” he said.

But these are people who ordinarily would not be tested otherwise, as per the example of Woolworths above.
When you have to work and have a very slight sniffle, often you don't notice it. Some symptoms can be very subtle. People with very slight symptoms are going to be going into pharmacies if you like it or not.