FROM yesterday concession card holders were eligible for up to 10 free rapid antigen tests over a period of three-month period – the tricky part is finding them.
Neither Swan Hill Priceline Pharmacy nor Marraboor Pharmacy had any RATs in stock on the first day of the federal government’s concession scheme.
While a boost in supplies is expected by mid-February, that is little consolation for six million pensioners, veterans and low-income earners eligible for tests, let alone the community at large as the pandemic continues.
A Marraboor staff member said the federal government had failed to deliver RAT stock and the pharmacy had run out of the stock it acquired as an individual company already.
The staff member also said there had been no communication regarding the date when new tests would be available.
A Priceline spokesperson said they were collecting names of patients for when stock returns.
When stock returns, the following cards will be eligible for free tests: Commonwealth seniors health card, Department of Veteran’s Affairs gold, white or orange card, health care card, low income health card and pensioner concession card.
A maximum of five of the 10 tests can be accessed in a one month period.
The federal government spokesperson said RATs will be increasingly available from pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets.
Individuals are encouraged to phone pharmacies ahead to ensure supplies have arrived, and if a member of the public has COVID-19 symptoms they should not attend a pharmacy but instead go directly to a testing centre.
