Pharmacies evaluate the PCR test in 1.5 hours
Coronavirus
Some pharmacies in Salzburg will be able to evaluate PCR tests themselves in the future. This is made possible by special “point of care” devices. With these devices, the tests show a PCR test result within 90 minutes. If you want to use this service, you have to pay for it.
If you want to have your PCR test result within one and a half hours, you have to pay 55 euros for it. However, if you are not in such a hurry and can wait 24 hours, the pharmacy tests are free of charge in the future.
PCR tests in pharmacies are intended as a supplement
How many of the 44 pharmacies in Salzburg that are already doing PCR tests purchase point of care devices are currently being surveyed. According to Kornelia Seiwald, President of the Salzburg Chamber of Pharmacists, this service is an important addition to the existing test system and not a competitor. “Especially in off-peak times, in times when you need a result very quickly and in times when the laboratories are again reaching their limits – that’s why the pharmacies absolutely want to be able to make this additional offer,” said Kornelia Seiwald.
The device evaluates 96 tests per hour
The acquisition of the test devices is associated with costs, which is why it is also possible that pharmacy devices will be used together, i.e. Seiwald. The smaller version costs the pharmacies 9,000, the larger a little more than 20,000 euros. It then manages 96 PCR tests per hour. The individual test kit costs the pharmacies ten euros. The pharmacy receives 25 euros per test through social security.
In addition to coronaviruses, the test devices can also analyze influenza or hepatitis viruses. When thinking about new coronavirus variants, the pharmacy assumes that the test devices will probably be in use for a long time to come.