Well being retailer Superdrug has introduced it should promote particular person lateral stream checks (LFTs) for beneath £2, undercutting the worth provided by its competitor Boots.
The transfer comes a month earlier than the federal government ends free coronavirus testing in England. Solely the clinically susceptible and the over-75s will have the ability to obtain common LFTs with out paying for them from 1 April.
In an announcement launched on Wednesday, Superdrug stated it should cost £1.99 for a single LFT and £9.79 for a pack of 5. They are going to be that can be purchased shortly, it added.
By comparability, Boots will supply one take a look at for £2.50 and 5 for £12 from early March. Clients can at present buy them on-line for £5.99 every or 4 for £17.
NHS Covid-19 fast antigen take a look at kits have helped monitor the unfold of the virus (Jane Barlow/PA)
(PA Wire)
“Our pricing goals to make lateral stream checks as accessible as potential for individuals,” a Superdrug spokesperson stated.
Different British pharmacies are but to disclose their costs, with simply over 5 weeks remaining till the tip of England’s free testing programme.
The change in method comes as a part of the federal government’s “Dwelling with Covid-19” technique, which can see all coronavirus restrictions, together with the necessity to self-isolate after a optimistic take a look at, lifted from Thursday.
Boris Johnson has justified making the general public pay for LFTs on the grounds that it’ll save the treasury a substantial amount of cash. Testing within the UK value £2 billion in January alone, the prime minister advised the BBC on Sunday.
Politicians together with the Liberal Democrat MP Layla Mora have urged the federal government to introduce value caps if it scraps the free service.
“If the federal government insists on doing so, they have to introduce a value cap as different European nations have already got,” she advised MailOnline.
In Spain, a most of £2.45 could be charged per LFT, whereas particular person checks could be purchased for as little as £1 in France.
Amid the pharmacy LFT value conflict, some social customers have posted pictures on-line exhibiting “towers” of free kits they’ve stockpiled.
“When the federal government needs to start out charging for lateral stream checks. I’ve come totally ready so I don’t run out of covid checks,” one individual tweeted.
Kaynak: briturkish.com
