General News
11 February, 2022
Relief as RAT supplies on the rise
QUEENSLANDERS can expect to share a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) with their Valentine as industry professionals predict a close end in sight to the current supply issues plaguing the country.
RAT tests have proven to be a hot commodity as people scramble to secure the home testing kits as stock flies off shelves quicker than they can be stocked.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has boiled down the current supply issue to a number of factors, including lack of domestic manufacturing and importation.
“There is no domestic manufacturing capability for RAT tests, they have to be imported,” Queensland Branch president Chris Owen said.
“They are coming predominantly from China but also from Germany, America and some other European countries.
“Given the requirements of importation there has been a significant lag in getting these test kits in – You’ve got issues with freight, Chinese new year in particular, customs clearance and then deliverance out to retail stores.”
However, Mr Owen says that Queenslanders will be able to enjoy a RAT test paired with some wine over dinner, as a close end in sight is foreseen for the current supply issue.
“By Valentine’s Day you can share a RAT test with your partner,” he said.
“We’re now in a situation where we do have moderate supplies coming in and that will ease over the next seven to 14 days.
“We will see, hopefully, that the supply will match the demand and that anyone who wants a RAT test will be able to get one.”
As RAT tests are not registered as a medical device but as an item of general sale, any store can buy and stock RAT tests if they so wish.
While pharmacies and supermarkets would be your first stop to secure a test, service stations and even hardware stores have been known to stock tests.
Continue to check your local pharmacy and supermarkets for restocked RAT tests over the coming weeks as supply increases.
