Coronavirus: Rapid test situation at pharmacies ‘manageable’

The demand for rapid tests in pharmacies can be met, and from next week all results will be registered electronically, president of the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association Eleni Piera told the Cyprus News Agency on Tuesday.

She said for the past five months pharmacies have been conducting rapid tests on the public, although the number seeking the service rose massively on Monday with the ministry of health stopping free tests for all members of the public.

Now all those not entitled to free tests – largely adults who have not been vaccinated and some others – have to pay at private labs and pharmacies to have a test to secure a SafePass or for other reasons.

Pierra said around two thirds of pharmacies – 370 islandwide – now perform rapid tests.

With the cessation of free rapid tests by the ministry, more weight fell on the shoulders of pharmacies, she said.

Even though photos circulated widely showing queues, she said even though many are closed for a two-week August break they managed to control the situation “very well,” she added.

She said pharmacies have now been contacted by the ministry of health to connection with a platform of the University of Cyprus to electronically register results.

A list of those who express an interest in this will be sent to the ministry on Thursday, she said.

“270 pharmacies have already been registered to provide electronic results. I hope that next week all pharmacies will register the results electronically,” she said.

With more work on their shoulders, Pierra said the association has asked for information about people who worked for the ministry to carry out its testing programme who will no longer be needed as the number of free testing sites has been reduced.

She also said the pharmaceutical association would like pharmacists to be involved in seasonal flu vaccinations.

“In two months there will be this need, possibly the vaccination of the third dose for Covid will occur too, and we would not like to see waiting lists again. We say we are ready to help with seasonal flu vaccinations,” she said.