The Pharmacy Guild of Australia will work closely with the Australian Government and National Cabinet over coming weeks to develop a national system for delivery of COVID tests to concession holders.
Pharmacy Guild National President, Professor Trent Twomey, warmly welcomed the decision announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Specifically, the Guild is working alongside Government to build a model to provide concessional access for rapid tests over a three month period.
These COVID tests will be available through the pharmacy network. It recognises community pharmacists are highly skilled and trained health professionals, readily accessible to Australians.
"As the Prime Minister has announced, he has discussed this proposal with me," Professor Twomey said.
"The objective is to deliver a maximum of 10 tests that will be provided to concessional card holders over three months.
"This is not a service for people who are COVID-symptomatic or who are close contacts. Those people should attend a testing centre for their free test."
In what will be a massive logistical exercise, the concessional free tests will be provided to some 6.6 million Australians:
- Those who have a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- A health care card
- A low income card
- A pension concession card
- A DVA Gold Card, or
- A DVA White Card.
The Prime Minister has advised they will be able to get up to 10 tests over three months, with a maximum five per month.
Professor Twomey stressed pharmacists are the logical providers for this service as established health care professionals, available to patients Australia-wide.
"As the Prime Minister makes clear, pharmacies are where we have the systems in place to be able to provide those tests," he said.
The Pharmacy Guild will move quickly with the Australian Government and National Cabinet to firm up plans to deliver this vital concessional rapid test service, Professor Twomey said.
