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ARCHIVED - How much should Spain charge for home antigen tests?
Spain is one of the most expensive countries for over-the-counter Covid kits
The demand for over-the-counter antigen tests skyrocketed over the holidays due to unprecedented numbers of people wanting to ensure they were healthy before joining the festivities, so much so that there was hardly a test to be found in pharmacies during Christmas week.
As a result of the supply-demand imbalance, many stores hiked up to cost of these tests to over ten euros and the health authorities have called on President Sánchez to regulate the price to ensure that antigens remain affordable.
According to consultancy firm IQVIA, demand for these tests rose 546% between November and December, with reports that the free kits being handed out to citizens in Madrid were turning up on the black market for as much as 20 euros.
The powers that be are all in agreement that the cost of home testing kits should be capped, but where does Spain stand in relation to the rest of the world?
Actually, Spain is one of the most expensive across the EU for antigen tests, and, unlike other member states, they are only sold in pharmacies, something which Mr Sánchez has insisted “guarantees” their quality. However, allowing the sale of tests in supermarkets has resulted in a huge price drop in much of Europe; France sells its antigens at cost.
In neighbouring Portugal, the price of antigen tests has been regulated to just 2.10 euros, while citizens are allowed to take up to four free professional tests a month. Germany, like Spain, has not yet set a maximum price bracket, but tests can be purchased for as little as 1.75 euros in the likes of Lidl and Aldi, while free professional tests are also available to everyone.
On the other hand, over-the-counter kits in Italy cost around the same as in Spain, but professional tests are capped at 15 euros for an adult and 8 euros for children.
Meanwhile, in the UK, self-tests remain free, at least for the time being. They can either be collected from pharmacies or medical centres, or the helpful NHS will deliver them to your door in packages of eight.
In Ireland, self-diagnostic tests cost around 8 euros on average, although they can be found much cheaper in supermarkets.
Image: Archive
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