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The Federal Council’s decision was a surprise. Some cantons did not see that rapid tests, which will be approved from November 2, can also be carried out in pharmacies. The canton of Zurich has already arranged for such operations in advance, the other cantons now have to do the same administratively.
Not as reliable as PCR tests
The reliability of the tests has been proven in several studies. They are less sensitive than previous Swiss approved PCR tests. However, they are very effective in people who have a high viral load. “That means these are the patients who are considered particularly contagious,” says Manuel Frietsch, director of marketing for Roche, where these tests are produced.
A Geneva study shows that of 529 tested, 191 tested positive for Covid-19 with PCR tests. Rapid tests were only able to determine 170 of them. For this reason, the federal government only counts people with symptoms and those who have been reported by the Swiss Covid app among the target group for rapid tests. Rapid tests are effective in these patients. “People who are contagious at the time of collection are extremely reliably detected by rapid antigen tests,” writes the federal government.
Patients at risk are excluded from rapid tests. “By using rapid antigen tests, the capabilities of the PCR test can be used in a targeted manner where it is of particular importance to rule out infection,” the federal government refers to high-risk patients, hospitalized patients, or people who work in the health system.
Pharmacies must take over testing centers
Rapid tests will now also be performed by pharmacies. But it was only last Wednesday that they learned that the rapid tests would be approved. Now the pharmacies have to prepare. “Pharmacists have to be trained accordingly so that this sample can be taken correctly. Another very important point is that the spatial conditions are available and then of course a protection concept that it can withstand, ”says Lydia Isler-Christ, president of the Basel Pharmacists Association.
Until then, rapid tests will already be used in test centers. “The former are primarily used where tests are currently being conducted. Then additional channels are also conceivable. That still has to be planned and organized, ”says Basel Health Director Lukas Engelberger. Pharmacies are interested and quite open to supporting test centers. However, due to the necessary preparations, this could happen in at least two to three weeks.
Individual pharmacies need an isolated space. This is the only way to ensure that clients, equipment, and test results are safe. It is particularly important to Lydia Isler-Christ that patients actually get professionally tested with the rapid test and not that they do it themselves. “There are some rapid tests that can be purchased online, but they are not suitable,” Isler-Christ told Telebasel.
Up to 80,000 daily tests in Switzerland
With the addition of rapid tests, the federal government intends to expand the testing capacity throughout Switzerland. It should now be possible to perform 80,000 tests per day. Since then, 30,000 tests have been available every day with the PCR test alone. The federal government wants to buy 1.5 million rapid tests a month and distribute them to the cantons. “The global demand for tests exceeds supply,” says Manuel Frietsch.
“We work with clients and aid organizations around the world to ensure that testing is available where the greatest medical need is,” continues the chief marketing officer. 40 million rapid tests are produced every month. “We expect this amount to more than double by the end of the year,” adds Frietsch.
As with previous PCR tests, the rapid test is free and the federal government bears the cost. The goal is to minimize the effort of getting tested. This so that more people can prove themselves. This should make it possible to identify and isolate infected people more efficiently.
