The State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against COVID-19 decided to take COVID-19 antigen self-test kits as a supplementary diagnostic method to the mainstream nucleic acid testing and formulated a trial plan.

 

Community residents who want to take a quick test can buy self-test kits in physical or online stores. It is expected that test kits will be available at stores of LBX Pharmacy in 12 provincial-level regions within days. 

 

The test kit that LBX Pharmacy purchased is one of five products approved by the National Medical Products Administration. It is suitable for both nasal swab and throat swab samples, with test results to be shown within 15 minutes.

 

Wang Li, president of LBX Pharmacy, said it was proved again that retail pharmacies, as an important part of the public health system, play a key role in epidemic prevention with the promotion of quick detection products for COVID-19. 

 

The demand for quick detection is expected to further increase, and the detection volume of COVID-19 may exceed the previous nucleic acid testing, driving the rapid growth in customer flow and sales of pharmacies.

 

Moreover, the quick detection products will help pharmacies transform from drug sellers to diversified health services providers.