Australians urged to grab free RATs while they can

Australians are being urged to get free rapid tests while they still can as pharmacists slam the federal government’s latest decision.

Free rapid antigen tests for pensioners, seniors, concession card holders and veterans are set to expire by the end of the month just as Covid cases peak over winter.

Australians are being urged to grab the tests while they can, with the Pharmacy Guild slamming the Albanese government’s decision to axe the scheme as numbers rise.

Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed today that the free RAT scheme would be closed within the next fortnight.

Despite predictions there could soon be over 5000 hospitalisations related to the virus in coming weeks, low income families will soon have to pay $8 or more for each test.

“I think that expiry, I think, is about the right time,’’ Mr Butler told 3AW.

“Really?’’ host Neil Mitchell responded.

“When that was introduced, we had a very ferocious debate, you might remember, at a time when RATs were incredibly hard to get,’’ the Health Minister said.

The broadcaster then interjected, “But hang on, we’re talking about a new wave and how bad it’s going to be, but pensioners will still now have to pay for their RATs? In a couple of weeks?”

“If you let me finish – the price has come down dramatically. They were running on average at sort of $24 – $25 per test if you could get them in January, now it is down to about $8 a test,’’ he said.

“Pensioners and concession card holders can still get their allocation of up to 10 tests before the end of this month, which should carry them through for a period of time.”

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Free rapid antigen tests are set to expire by the end of the month just as cases peak over winter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Mr Butler said some families will still be able to access free RATS through state schemes.

“There are still free RATs, there are so many RATs in the community right now and state governments are providing them for free,’’ he said.

“I think you can still access five free RATs from the Victorian government. A range of other state governments have these programs too. So, I think the problem we were facing in the summer has largely resolved itself.”

To access the current scheme you can get a carer or guardian to pick up your RATs if you’re eligible but can’t get them yourself. They will need to show your card when they go to the pharmacy.

Pharmacists have slammed the Albanese government’s decision on the concessional RATs scheme, calling it “disappointing” and “confusing”..

Acting National President of the Guild, Nick Panayiaris, said the decision to wind the scheme up at the end of the month was a mistake.

“With cases surging we need every means available to help the most vulnerable in our community manage the impact of the virus to keep them as safe as possible,’’ he said.

“If the scheme is removed it will add pressure to government testing hubs and also potentially add to delays in accessing antivirals – delays that could see patients unable to get these medications within the required five days of the first symptoms appearing.

“The value of the scheme can be seen in the fact that community pharmacies have delivered more than 58 million RATS to 5.6 million patients.

“We would ask the government to reconsider this decision.”

Health Minister Mark Butler has confirmed today that the free RAT scheme will also be closed within the next fortnight. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Butler said that the current health modelling indicates that case numbers and hospitalisations have further to go over the next four to six weeks.

“We’re going to continue to see case numbers rise, we’re going to continue to see increased pressure on our hospitals,’’ he said.

“We’re at around 4000 people in the hospital with Covid right now across the country. I think it’s a little less than 800 down in Victoria.

“So per capita, it’s running a little behind where New South Wales and Queensland are in Victoria but across the country, we expect it to climb. The best numbers I’ve seen are something like the hospitalisation numbers in January, so a little over 5000 probably.”

The fatality rate is markedly down on where it was last year per capita.

“It’s running at about one in 1000. In 2020, it was as high as 30 in 1000 people who got Covid were likely to lose their life,’’ he said.

However, Mr Butler said the surging case numbers are likely to impact elective surgery waiting lists.

“Up in Queensland, at the category two and category three elective surgery is being deferred,’’ he said.

“I’d be very surprised if there wasn’t pressure on elective surgery lists in a number of states over the coming four to six weeks.”

Under the current concessional scheme those eligible for the tests include people holding:

– Pensioner Concession card

– Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card

– Health Care Card (including Low Income Health Care card

– Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold, White or Orange cards.