Pharmacy Daily | Free RAT extension ‘makes sense’

MOVES to extend the Federal Government's free COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) program for concession and Veteran Affairs cardholders are being welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.

Announcing the continuation of the free RAT scheme on Fri, as part of a $2.1 billion winter preparedness program, Commonwealth Health Minister, Greg Hunt, said Australia was likely to see COVID-19 co-circulating with influenza viruses in the coming months.

The extended scheme will allow concession and Veteran Affairs cardholders to claim a further 10 RATs between the beginning of May and the end of Jul, with a maximum of five tests per month -- in line with the program's current rules.

Guild National President, Trent Twomey, said the decision to continue to provide access to free RATs for concession cardholders until 31 Jul, made "good sense".

"We don't know what is happening with the latest sub-variant of COVID-19 so extending this access program makes good sense," he said.

"Also, as we head into winter and the flu season, extending the program will help people feeling unwell differentiate between COVID-19 and the flu which is really important."

Twomey urged pharmacies participating in the program to use the findapharmacy.com.au platform to let customers know that they are involved in the scheme and that they have tests available.

"Pharmacies can update the website at any time to indicate whether they have stocks of the tests and going to the website can save people a lot of time," he said.

"The availability of RATs is now much more stable and patients should have no problem accessing them.

"I also remind everyone that with the flu season coming, and COVID-19 still a very real threat, that getting vaccinated against the flu is as important as ever."

The Government estimates that the extension of the free RAT program will cost $286 million, however, Twomey told a recent Guild update webinar that the scheme has been running under budget to date.

In addition to extending the concessional RAT program, Hunt said the Government has committed to purchasing six months' worth of personal protective equipment for aged care and disability requirements.