Rapid Antigen Test supplies beefed up: Where to find them

Supply constraints on rapid antigen tests have begun to ease with new supplies delivered on the weekend. Find out where they are.

Exclusive: If you are scrambling to find a Covid Rapid Antigen Test as school returns you are more likely to strike gold this week.

Supply constraints on rapid antigen tests have begun to ease at some larger pharmacies with Chemist Warehouse reporting it received new supplies over the weekend.

While smaller pharmacies are expected to be on track to meet demand by Valentine’s Day.

“We had good deliveries to stores across NSW and Vic over weekend,” Chemist Warehouse chief Operating Officer Mario Tassone told News Corp.

“Stores are in good shape generally and lots more stock coming everyday,” he said.

The chemist chain is still experiencing supply difficulties in Queensland which it hopes to solve within the next 48 hours.

This has become a familiar view at pharmacies around the country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled Generic

The pharmacy giant which operates over 471 stores around Australia said it was starting to meet demand in most stores for both general retail customers and concession card holders.

The company hoped to re-open online sales of the tests by the end of the week.

“Last week we were able to meet most of the demand of the concession card rollout, we only had a few stores run low on stock mid to late last week but all back on track today except for QLD which is being rectified,” Mr Tassone said.

Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey previously told News Corp smaller suburban pharmacies were not expecting to have enough stock of the Covid tests until the end of the first week in February.

“What we believe is by the end of that week, beginning the eighth (of February) we should have many 1000s of pharmacies participating (in the rollout of free tests to concession card holders,” he said.

“That’s why I say Valentine’s Day,” he said.

Pensioners or concession card holders can access RAT tests for free. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

It has been hard for smaller pharmacies to compete with state and federal governments who have been ordering mass volumes of the tests since the Omicron outbreak struck and to prepare for the return to school.

Most of the RAT tests are manufactured in China, and it takes at least three weeks after they are ordered for the tests to be delivered.

Australia is also competing with large buyers such as the US and UK for the limited supply of the tests.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said 1700 of the nation’s 5700 pharmacies were currently supplying free rapid antigen tests to pensioners and concession card holders under a government scheme.

If you are a pensioners or concession card holder looking to obtain a free RAT you can find the pharmacies near you that have a supply by checking the Find a Pharmacy website.