States must move on RAT legislation

STATE governments in South Australia and Western Australia are being urged to update legislation for the use of rapid antigen tests (RAT) for home use, by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

PSA WA Branch President, Keegan Wong, noted that under the state’s Health Act “a person must not use a RAT as a tool to detect or diagnose COVID-19”, with an exception for logistical reasons.

“It is currently to be used for transport, freight and logistics, testing drivers at the borders, but strangely, the legislation has not yet taken into account the state’s health workers,” he said.

“This goes to show that the McGowan Government is more concerned about border control than the welfare of those on the frontline.

“Antigen testing will become a cornerstone of life as the virus eventually spreads across the nation and will ultimately reduce the risk of pharmacy closures due to COVID-19 exposure and subsequent isolation periods for pharmacists and pharmacy staff.

“For Australia’s most geographically-dispersed state, it is imperative that communities continue to have access to essential medicines and health services.”

PSA SA Branch President, Robyn John, warned that without reforms the state would be “left behind”.

“The benefits of antigen testing are clear, hence, why supermarket giants have recently announced they will be stocking tests for personal use as of next week. In the meantime, this out-of-date legislation is holding South Australia back,” she said.

“Whilst full vaccination decreases the risk of infection, pharmacists and pharmacy staff are not immune to isolation periods and resulting pharmacy closures.

“With other jurisdictions emerging from lockdowns and borders gradually reopening, we need to ensure we are using all the tools at our disposal to continue to detect COVID-19 in the community.”

MEANWHILE, Roche Diagnostics Australia has confirmed that its RAT will be available in more than 500 pharmacies, in the ACT, NSW, Queensland and Victoria next week.