There's an accompanying video on the web page.Link to article with video:
Omicron:Government planned to have COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for saleweeks ago
27/01/2022
JennaLynch
Newshubcan reveal the Government planned to have rapid antigen tests forsale weeks ago using pharmacies to teach the public how to use them.
Butnow businesses are scrambling to get their hands on supplies afterthe Government swooped in and grabbed all incoming stock - and it'llbe weeks before the public can pick them up from their localpharmacy.
WallisKeiller's Invitrocue rapid antigen test is banned in New Zealand - itdoesn't have Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield'sblessing, and very few do. It's a saliva rapid antigen test thatlinks up to an app for a result. While approved by Germany's toughmedical regulator, it's not approved here.
"ThisGovernment has not allowed the private sector to solve problems andthe private sector can solve them quicker," he told Newshub.
Theproblem is the application process - a maze of extra tough hoops tojump through - before the Director-General gets the final say. Somehave had applications in for months, to no avail.
"Weshould all have access. If it's 'test-to-work', we should all haveaccess," says Keiller.
Andwe should've had access more than a month ago.
TheGovernment planned to have rapid antigen tests for sale by now.
ADecember 3 Ministry of Health memo obtained under the OfficialInformation Act says "the original intention was to have off theshelf retail sales of rapid antigen tests on December 15".
Thememo sought approval for retail sales of the tests for the purpose ofhome testing in mid-January, saying the later start date would allowtime to 'socialise' rapid antigen tests and their method of use withthe public.
Buthere we are at the end of January facing an Omicron outbreak andthere are no tests for sale, no demos at pharmacies, and no advice onhow to use them.
TheGovernment is snaffling all incoming tests but denies it hascommandeered any already in the country.
"Ifyou are implying we have taken the supply of others, absolutely not,"said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
There'sa global shortage and in New Zealand very few are approved.
"There'sa huge variation. There are some real lemons out there. Some rapidantigen tests have accuracy as low as 30 percent," Ardern said.
Keillersays his tests have a 97 percent accuracy and as soon as he getssignoff he can get loads here quickly.
"Wecan get a million a fortnight into the country."
Constructioncompany Naylor Love has 150 construction projects on the go and hasbeen using rapid antigen tests for surveillance. CEO Rick Herd hadorders for more in but the Government grab means he doesn't get themany more.
"It'sdisheartening. Our suppliers were confident they could keep up withour demand and now we're being told otherwise," he told Newshub.
Ardernsaid she wants to "make sure that every New Zealander who needsa test can access a test for free".
"I'vetaken lessons from what I've seen overseas and in some places thosewho can pay are the ones who access tests. We don't want that in NewZealand."
edit.. Sorry about the formatting... that's how it cut & paste.
