Covid and antigenic testing

Our findings

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Not yet widely used, antigenic tests, which produce results much faster than PCR tests, will be deployed on a large scale in France over the next few days.

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It remains to be seen whether healthcare professionals are sufficiently prepared.

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Antigen testing: a new weapon in the fight against Covid-19

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The coronavirus epidemic is breaking new records in France this autumn. To cope with this second wave, the public authorities have declared their intention to carry out more tests.

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A decree published in the last few days has generalized the use of antigenic tests, and set the rates and conditions for reimbursement by Social Security.

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Three categories of people are concerned:

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• asymptomatic, non-case-contact individuals who are likely to be contaminated, e.g. through their workplace;
• people under 65 with no risk factors who have had symptoms for less than four days and who are unable to be tested within 48 hours using a PCR test;
• people at risk.

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These tests, although slightly less reliable, give a result in less than thirty minutes, compared with 24 hours at best for PCR tests.

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Furthermore, while virological tests, which remain the reference tests, can only be carried out in the laboratory, antigenic tests can also be performed in a pharmacy, by a doctor, or by a nurse.

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This will relieve waiting room congestion and shorten the time it takes to get an appointment.

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Covid-19 screening: pharmacies on the front line

At a time when some pharmacies are equipping themselves with connected medical booths to make up for the shortage of doctors, a new mission has been entrusted to them to facilitate access to healthcare.

Although they are not the only ones able to screen for Covid-19 via these new rapid tests, pharmacies will be the ones most affected by this tool. While they will certainly be inundated with patients, they will also need to be able to supply other healthcare professionals.

Training staff in screening techniques, reorganizing space to include testing areas on their premises, relentless stock management to avoid - if possible - stock-outs...

With the onset of winter and the accompanying onslaught of illness, the next few weeks are shaping up to be difficult for pharmacies and their employees...

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