The Pharmacy Collect service, which allowed people to collect rapid Covid-19 tests to do at home, would end from April 1, 2022 as part of rollback of domestic restrictions, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said.
This follows the prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement earlier this week regarding the rollback of coronavirus related restrictions in England and subsequent publication of the government policy document – Covid-19 Response: Living with Covid-19.
The PSNC is working with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England and NHS Improvement to finalise plans for the end of the service.
Meanwhile, UKHSA has confirmed having ample stock levels of test kits, and to ensure an even distribution of lateral flow tests across the country, it is planning future deliveries across all test distribution channels.
Alliance Healthcare would receive last delivery of tests from the UKHSA warehouse on March 18, 2022, and pharmacies will be able to order for a short period of time thereafter.
UKSHA has also advised that further orders for kits should be based on current need and demand from people.
The negotiator stated that more information about the end of the service and final payment claims will be conveyed to contractors once details are finalised.
