Due to PHE advice relating to the use of antibody tests community pharmacies (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-rapid-tests-for-use-in-community-pharmacies-or-at-home/covid-19-rapid-tests-for-use-in-community-pharmacies-or-at-home) we are at the moment unable to clearly
recommend the use of rapid test kits within community pharmacy as a testing service to the public. We are confident that antibody testing tests are legal for health care professionals to perform and evaluate however, PHE has raised potential concerns relating to the message to be given to the public at this time.
PharmaDoctor has requested for clarity from PHE on their advice and hope to get clarification soon. In the mean time it is clear that there is no issue with pharmacies offering an antibody testing service to companies and organisations wishing to test their staff as part of a return to work risk assessment and analysis.
Finding out you may have antibodies might not guarantee immunity which is an important message that must be made clear to anyone testing positive, but for the most part it is of great comfort to individuals to have confirmation that they have built antibodies and have successfully fought off Covid 19.
We are confident that pharmacies will be in the forefront of future testing services and that the PHE advice will soon change in line with latest developments. Early next week PharmaDoctor will have full supporting documentation supporting a antibody testing which you will be able to download and start using as a service to companies and organisations. It would also be useful to
review these documents so that you will be ready to provide a testing service within the community.
