Charlotte Varcoe
WHILE Covid-19 rapid antigen tests (RAT) have now been made available for purchase across South Australia, residents are finding them difficult to locate.
Supermarkets across Mount Gambier have sold out of the do-it-yourself tests with chemists reporting a two week waiting time for new stock.
According to Woolworths and Coles online shopping, both stores have the tests temporarily unavailable with prices ranging from $20 for two tests or $50 for five.
Foodland Mount Gambier reported having tests in stock, sold at $40 for two tests or $75 for five.
UFS Mount Gambier pharmacist and manager Barb Beal said the announcement of the rapid tests being released just before Christmas made it difficult to secure stock.
“We knew we were going to get the tests eventually, we just weren’t sure when,” Ms Beal said.
“Initially we were not allowed to store them in our store or purchase them, and now it is difficult to get them.”
Ms Beal said the difficulty in securing the tests was due to wholesalers not being able to get the stock from suppliers.
“We aren’t expecting to get the tests in until the middle of January and pharmacies have only been able to order from Wednesday this week.
“I do think that once we get recurring stock in, people will feel more comfortable.”
The pharmacist said the timing of the rollout made it difficult to secure stock and was the biggest issue.
“The government must have had their reasons, whatever they are, but I don’t believe it was a spur of the moment decision,” she said.
“I think in hindsight the timing of it was poor but we don’t know why they made the decisions when they did or whether they were waiting for information or not.”
Feeling more confident moving forward, Ms Beal said having stock would make it easier for concerned community members to get tested, but she still recommends professional testing for symptomatic patients.
“The RAT tests have been available around the world so there are plenty available, it is just about getting it here to Mount Gambier,” she said.
“Once it comes to us and is readily available it won’t be an issue.
“I think most people are understanding that we are finding it difficult to get some in unless of course they need them for travel which we have found a lot of people do.”
