Antibody testing launched in pharmacies

Wednesday 10 June 2020

A new local covid-19 testing programme is being launched in seven local pharmacies this week.

LV Pharmacy say their scheme will enable islanders to get tested for covid-19 antibodies in a clinical setting.

The finger prick blood tests, which will be priced at around £60 per test for adults and children aged over 12, will be undertaken by qualified health professionals in pharmacy clinic rooms, with results being available within ten minutes.

LV Pharmacy, which is leading the scheme, has sourced the kits - the same ones currently being rolled out by the Government - from a supplier in the US.

It is the first pharmacy in the British Isles to facilitate a covid-19 community pharmacy testing service.

Seven local pharmacies have already signed up to the scheme - including LV Pharmacy on Beresford Street, Queen's Road Pharmacy, and Reids Pharmacies on New Street, Charing Cross, Longueville, the Lido Medical Centre and Bagatelle Road.

Any local pharmacy in Jersey can sign up to participate.

“Pharmacies, as essential care providers in the island, have been on the frontline since the covid-19 pandemic started and have been rapidly responding to the needs of patients including keeping essential stocks of medications available, delivering to those isolating and educating and protecting patients from the transmission of the virus," Matt Johnson, Head of LV Pharmacy, said.

"It makes sense that with a medical infrastructure already in place serving the local community, we extend our pharmaceutical services to include covid-19 testing to augment the testing that is currently being undertaken by the Government of Jersey.”

Pictured: The finger prick blood tests will be undertaken by qualified health professionals in pharmacy clinic rooms.

The Government’s antibody testing programme is currently only available to key workers and selected households.

Orchid Care Services are also offering the pinprick blood tests to islanders at a cost of £74.95 to adults, and £50 to frontline workers, from a drive-through facility based at Tamba Park. 

The pharmacy testing scheme is looking to work with a number of local businesses to develop a larger covid-19 antibody testing strategy that may help support their employees and their return to work policies.

"At a time when a number of islanders are off work or working from home and keen to return to a sense of a ‘new normal’, the ability to offer islanders and businesses greater access to testing is really important," Mr Johnson said.

"A number of businesses we have spoken with said that increased access to testing will help them reduce disease transmissions in the workplace, as well as allay worker’s fears in returning to work meaning they can get their operations back up and running in line with Government guidelines as quickly and as safely as possible."