“We have continued to break record after record. Last Friday, we performed more than 73,000 tests in pharmacies”, said president of the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), Ema Paulino.

According to the president of the ANF, this increase in the testing of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has contributed to the increase in the number of pharmacies that are carrying out rapid antigen tests (TRAg) for professional use free of charge since the Ministry of Health increased the co-payment from 10 to 15 euros.

"Since the value was updated, it rose from 630 to practically 900, which is a very significant increase", said Ema Paulino.

According to the head of the ANF, there is still a "significant number of pharmacies" that is awaiting authorisation to start these shared tests, which will allow for increased testing capacity, especially for periods that will be of greatest demand in the case of the days before Christmas and New Year.

Regarding self-tests acquired in pharmacies, Ema Paulino said that there is still a “controlled release” (apportionment), given the great demand, with some pharmacies establishing limits on the number per person.

TRAgs for professional use are free not only in pharmacies, but also in 438 clinical pathology and clinical analysis laboratories that have adhered to this exceptional reimbursement scheme, according to the National Medicines Authority (Infarmed).

When accessing homes and visiting users in health establishments and at major cultural or sporting events and nightclubs, it is now required to present a negative SARS-CoV-2 virus detection test, a measure that even applies to people vaccinated against covid-19.