PROPERTY SEARCH
PROPERTY SEARCH
ARCHIVED - Sale of black market antigen tests surges in Madrid
There has been a marked shortage of over-the-counter tests throughout Spain
Before the start of the Christmas holiday period, the regional government in Madrid announced that it would be offering free antigen tests in pharmacies to encourage those attending parties or social gatherings to test themselves for coronavirus. Over the last week or so, however, stores across Spain have reported alarming shortages of the over-the-counter lateral flow tests and as a result, Madrid’s ‘free’ kits have been popping up on sites like Wallapop for as much as 20 euros.
The College of Pharmacists of Madrid has warned that “these tests can be sold exclusively in the pharmacy” and that people who unscrupulously resell them for a profit “do so illegally, just like selling medicines, because they have to be guarded by a pharmacist to ensure the quality and safety of these products”.
Professionals across Spain have been calling on the government to regulate the price of self-test kits, as the fact that the cost is set by the manufacturer has led to wide variations in different communities, and even towns. Finding an antigen test in a pharmacy in the lead-up to Christmas was an almost impossible mission, and when one was tracked down, its price had “practically doubled”, according to Francisco Criado, member of the Governing Board of the College of Pharmacists of Malaga.
For this reason, pharmacies have urged the administration to implement a set pricing system for the tests, as was done with facemasks at the beginning of the pandemic.
In Madrid, as of Monday December 27 “the distribution of self-diagnostic tests has been resumed so that all citizens can go to their local pharmacy”, although the experts still agree that the current demand far exceeds supply.
“The demand on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day has been incredible”, according to Mr Criado.
Image: Archive
Read more about Coronavirus:
OR
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin to get a comprehensive email with all the week’s news for Spain, Murcia, Alicante and Andalucía.
Get a sneak peek – here are a few of our recent Subscription Bulletins:
50% Discount Special Offer subscription:
24.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
