A Scottish government programme commissioning community pharmacies to distribute coronavirus tests to the public is launched today.

The introduction of the Community Pharmacy Covid 19 Test Kit Distribution Service means that people will be able to go into their high street pharmacy and collect a lateral flow device test kit free of charge as part of the national Test and Protect programme.

The kits are for people to take away and use and report the findings themselves – pharmacy staff will not be involved in administering the tests.

However, local teams are being encouraged to give advice to people collecting kits, reminding them that a negative result doesn’t mean that somebody doesn’t have covid 19 and explaining how to report their results.

Heath Secretary Humza Yousaf says testing plays a vital role in bringing Scotland out of the pandemic:

"This rollout of testing kits to pharmacies for the public to drop in and pick up helps build on our strategy to tackle covid-19.

"It would be a mistake to think that the successful delivery of the vaccination programme means testing becomes less important. The evidence suggests vaccination provides strong protection, but does not yet guarantee you can't still get the virus and pass it on.

"Around one in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms and rapid lateral flow testing is already helping us identify new cases. The ability to quickly identify new outbreaks and put appropriate measures in place will remain at the heart of our strategy to help break chains of transmission.

"Regular, rapid testing is already available to people in a wide range of settings, including schools and communities where rates remain high and everyone should access testing regularly.”

Professor Harry McQuillan, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Scotland says the move builds on the role of pharmacy giving direct support to local people:

“The community pharmacy network across Scotland provides access to NHS services close to people’s homes at the heart of our communities.

“This distribution service further enhances the ongoing testing programme and builds upon the community pharmacy teams role in supporting Scotland’s public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

 

To find the nearest pharmacy taking part, go to NHS inform, and enter your postcode.

 

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Pharmacists set out to 2030 vision; Community pharmacy project finds hidden carers; Community pharmacy: we want to do more.

 

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