EMMA MCBRIDE MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR DOBELL
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CARERS

PHARMACY GUILD LAUNCHES NEW RAT WEBSITE

After weeks of struggling to find Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in local stores, Coasties will soon be able to use a new website to track down testing kits.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has stepped in where the Government has failed and decided to launch its own website to help people source RATs at their local pharmacy.

Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride says this could help thousands of Coasties who are in desperate need of Rapid Antigen Tests.

“As a pharmacist myself and a local MP, I’m relieved to see this happening,” she said.

“This Government failed to shore up its supply of RATs, despite being warned by medical experts, months in advance, that RATs must be part of our pandemic response.

“They were too slow to act, and now pharmacies are stepping up to the job to help locals in need.”

The website is expected to go live next week, with pharmacies set to have control over uploading which stores have stock and what stock is available.

“I’ve heard from local pharmacies who are receiving hundreds of calls a day from people desperate to find RATs,” Ms. McBride said.

“I’ve heard some heartbreaking stories, including one local whose granddaughter is in palliative care and they need a negative COVID test before they can visit, but they can’t find RATs locally.

“This website will help Coasties find the medical supplies they need, which should be freely available.

“Unfortunately, this Government is refusing to make Rapid Antigen Tests free under Medicare and they’re leaving Coasties in the lurch.”

RATs should be free, for all Australians.

THURSDAY, 20 JANUARY 2022