For the third week in a row, three million rapid tests from the federal government will be distributed in pharmacies to Quebecers, a figure below expectations and, above all, demand.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
These three million rapid tests should arrive in pharmacies at the start of the week, that is to say this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Hugues Mousseau, director general of the Quebec Association of Pharmacy Distributors. They will bring to 9 million the number of rapid tests (or 1,800,000 screening kits containing 5 tests each) distributed in Quebec since the beginning of January.
However, 12 million rapid tests were expected in Quebec by the end of January for the pharmacy network. “We had confirmations for 9 million, but not for the rest, assured Hugues Mousseau. We expect to have developments around the middle of the week. »
For the moment, on the pharmacy side, there is no echo either of the millions of rapid tests ordered by the Quebec government, some of which were to be delivered at the end of January. “We have no news and we have not received any information that tests purchased by Quebec will come to us,” said Mr. Mousseau. We only received tests from the Public Health Agency of Canada. »
Each pharmacy has its own style
Pharmacies visited by The Press Sunday each had their own method of distributing rapid tests: online by ClicSanté, in person according to a first-come, first-served approach, with a waiting list, etc.
A panoply of methods that has given Quebecers a lot of trouble in recent weeks. “That will be settled when the supply will support the demand. That is to say, when there will be [des tests rapides] on the shelves and that we will be able to distribute them to people who will ask for them, says Benoit Morin, president of the Quebec Association of Proprietary Pharmacists. I dream of that day! »
According to him, a way of doing things favored by more and more pharmacies is that of the waiting list, which allows people to register without going through a computerized system. The notion of setting aside rapid tests for vulnerable customers is always present, adds Mr. Morin.
Pressure for access to rapid tests has lessened in the past two weeks, however, he notes.
There was a distribution in elementary schools and daycares last week, so our waiting lists are much shorter.
Benoit Morin, President of the Quebec Association of Proprietary Pharmacists
People who had managed to obtain rapid tests in pharmacies at the end of December will soon be able to obtain a new kit. Provided that deliveries continue to arrive regularly, the situation does not worry Benoit Morin. “We, that’s the message we send: it doesn’t work to pile them up, he specifies. Five tests is enough for a family. »
Delivery issues
Some pharmacies – notably the Pharmaprix chain – have had delays in their delivery for transit reasons with Ontario, a situation which is supposed to have been rectified for future shipments, according to Mr. Morin.
In addition, the types of rapid tests and their delivery format could change depending on supply capacities, warns Hugues Mousseau. For example, pharmacies could receive boxes containing 25 or 30 tests, rather than 5. It would then be up to them to “split” them to distribute them to the population, five tests at a time. “Under certain conditions – that there is a single-dose liquid [une dosette de liquide par test], we are able to put that in bags [séparés] – it’s not an issue,” says Benoit Morin.
The most important thing is that there is no shortage of stock.
Benoit Morin, President of the Quebec Association of Proprietary Pharmacists
On the other hand, if the liquid does not come in individual doses, the distribution by pharmacies will have to be reassessed. “Depending on the types of tests that will arrive, it will have an impact on the test distribution channel that Quebec will choose,” explains Mr. Mousseau.
For the rest of things, Hugues Mousseau has no more information: “We are hopeful that there will be regular arrivals, but we have no confirmation. The feds did not provide confirmation of the date, quantity and type of testing. »
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