Thuringia: Demand for corona self-tests in pharmacies has increased

Erfurt (dpa/th) - After the introduction of a co-payment for most corona citizen tests, pharmacies are seeing a decline in the use of this offer.

Thuringia: Demand for corona self-tests in pharmacies has increased

Erfurt (dpa/th) - After the introduction of a co-payment for most corona citizen tests, pharmacies are seeing a decline in the use of this offer. The chairman of the Thuringian Association of Pharmacists, Stefan Fink, said on request that there was access to the sale of corona self-tests. According to the State Chamber of Pharmacists, 39 pharmacies in Thuringia currently offer citizen tests in accordance with the Corona Test Ordinance. Since July, most of those who want to test have been associated with a personal contribution of three euros. They only remained free for certain risk groups.

According to the chamber, the frequently criticized change in the test regulation has so far had hardly any effect on the existing range of tests offered by Thuringian pharmacists. Only three pharmacies have since discontinued their offer, it said. To the knowledge of the chamber, up to 79 pharmacies had offered corona tests during the course of the pandemic. However, the pharmacies are not obliged to inform the Chamber of this, so the figures could be incomplete. The demand is heavily dependent on the infection protection measures required. They are currently very relaxed.

Association head Fink said that the sale of self-tests in his pharmacy in Weimar had doubled in July compared to the previous month. In Weimar, for example, the number of test centers has fallen to two after it had been ten for a long time. In addition to pharmacies, other approved providers may also carry out the citizen tests.