From Monday, rapid tests will no longer be available to everyone in pharmacies free of charge. Only people at high risk of complications and citizens who benefit from free medicines under public prescription drug insurance have free access to these COVID-19 screening tests.
Posted at 11:47 am.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services (MSSS) announced last March that rapid tests would be distributed in Quebec’s 1,900 community pharmacies by March 31, 2024.
People at high risk of complications who can still get the tests for free include immunocompromised adults, people aged 60 and over, pregnant women and adults with a chronic illness.
However, people who don’t meet those criteria can purchase rapid tests from pharmacies, the Quebec Association of Proprietary Pharmacists (AQPP) said in a news release.
“Since the program began, Quebec pharmacies have distributed nearly 9,250,000 self-test kits. This demonstrates the strength of our network in reaching all Quebecers through a public program,” said AQPP President Benoit Morin in the same press release.
The distribution of rapid test kits will continue in schools and kindergartens, the MSSS said.
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