Roche Diagnostics Australia to get 30 million rapid antigen Covid tests in the new year
One of Australia’s rapid antigen test suppliers has revealed they are set to get more than 30 million at-home kits as the Omicron outbreak grows. SEE WHERE YOU’LL GET THEM
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One of Australia’s rapid antigen test suppliers has revealed they are set to get more than 30 million at-home kits delivered in the new year, as the Omicron outbreak grows.
Allison Rossiter, the managing director of Roche Diagnostics Australia, said her company is working closely with the federal government to ensure there is enough supply for pharmacies, schools and businesses.
She said she is also planning to work with the NSW Government which announced it would procure rapid antigen test kits and make them available for free to people across the state, to give additional options to people and allow those who need to get a PCR test.
“The government (federal) has asked me how many I can bring into the country and when,” she said.
“We don’t know how many we will need for NSW yet.”
The tests will most likely be coming from South Korea where they are manufactured and would be brought in through airfreight.
Ms Rossiter said the process of ordering rapid antigen test kits one is where Australia has been “first come, first served” with its requirements.
“Other countries have already ordered theirs, and I went in and said ‘What have we got?’,” she said.
“Australia is a key market for Roche and the company has tried to be fair to everybody and make sure we have got enough to meet the demands.
“I wanted to make sure we had enough put aside for Australia when everyone is scrambling to get one of these tests.”
Ms Rossiter’s team at their warehouse have been working around the clock to get kits out and delivered.
Roche is supplying test kits to every state across Australia. SA Health just introduced rapid tests after Roche started supplying them to South Australia.
In the last week alone, more chemists and other industries have also approached Roche to join their long list of suppliers.
“Our warehouse team have been working their fingers to the bone ... and we have recruited more people because of it,” she said.
“For two years they have worked night and day and they are also being tested to make sure they can continue safely working.”
Rapid tests typically cost between $8.50 and $15 per test and produce a result in 20 minutes. There is no Medicare rebate.
A total of 15 tests have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The Roche test, is available in pharmacies and suppliers across the country including:
*Amazon
*Blooms the Chemist
*Capital Chemist
*Chemistworks
*Chempro Online
*David Jones Pharmacy
*Good Price Pharmacy
*healthSAVE Pharmacy
*Impressive Medical Supplies
*Kogan
*My Deal
*Pharmacy Choice
*SuperPharmacy
*SuperPharmacyPlus
*TerryWhite Chemmart
The Department of Health advises that rapid antigen tests are a faster way to test for Covid-19 in adults and children than traditional PCR tests.
But they do not replace a PCR test, which is still the most accurate and reliable way to detect Covid-19. Anyone with a positive rapid antigen test is advised to get a PCR test.
Coles, Woolworths, convenience stores and petrol stations are also selling rapid antigen test kits.
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Originally published as Roche Diagnostics Australia to get 30 million rapid antigen Covid tests in the new year
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