When a Lismore local wasn’t feeling too well, he went to his local Chempro pharmacy to buy a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).

He was dismayed to be told by pharmacy staff, that there were none were available.

He was doubly dismayed to be told that it was because the government had “rescinded” the chemist’s order of RATs, so it could distribute them to the community itself.

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To add to his growing concerns, he had already tried to get a PCR test at Lismore Base Hospital the previous afternoon, but gave up and went home as the line up was so long.

He said people were even sitting on the ground reading books while they waited.

Just like many other Lismore locals who are following health advice to get tested if they feel unwell, he found the lack of test availability was making it difficult.

Investigation

The Lismore App investigated the matter of the RAT supply and contacted Chempro at Lismore Central Shopping Centre.

Brian, the chief pharmacist said the Lismore store was one of 130 Chempro pharmacies in the chain affected by the cancellation of the order.

“We were told via an email that the whole shipment of over 50,000 RATs was confiscated by the government,” he said.

“Our store would have received about 500 of them on Friday.

“We were told they wouldn’t be allowed to be released into the pharmacies so we could distribute them to the general public.

“We are not sure what will happen now and we have put in orders from other wholesalers, but we’re not sure what will happen with that.

 “If the government really wants to get these tests to the community quickly, the pharmacy is the quickest way to do it.

“How else will they be able to distribute them to individuals? They would need Australia Post and people’s addresses.”

Where have the RATs gone?

The Lismore App contacted our State and Federal Government representatives to find out just what the government has planned for RAT distribution.

State Member Janelle Saffin said she has been asking the NSW government for some time about how tests can be provided to the community.

“I still haven’t seen a plan,” she said. “Pandemic requires planning I still have not seen a plan about how to distribute them, and they should be free.”

The Lismore App also contacted Federal representative Kevin Hogan and was told by his office that they are seeking advice on the issue. 

The Lismore App also checked with other local pharmacies to see if the same issue had happened to them.

We rang Blooms Chemist and was told they had some RATs on order. Brands chemist also had some on order, but was not sure if the order has been intervened or not.

Local smells a rat

Back to the Lismore App reader (who wishes to remain anonymous) who alerted us to the issue.

Now at home, he said he eventually returned to Lismore Base Hospital and successfully got a PCR test done. Now he has to wait five days for the results.

“I’m feeling ok,” he said. “I was a bit snuffly and had a cranky throat , but I wasn’t sure if it was because the grasses are in flower and it is a allergy reaction.

“Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about it, but in this environment – we’ve been told to check out everything.

“If a chemist had a test available I would have done that,” he said.

 “I’m double vaxxed with a booster, so I assume that if I get Covid, it will be a mild dose, but it doesn’t stop me being able to infect others.

“That’s why I got tested. I’m not concerned about myself, but about passing it to others.

Covid testing numbers

“I don’t understand the dance of the Federal Government in managing the Covid tests.

 “They can’t keep the count of actual Covid results with the home tests.

"Victoria had people report their home test results long before NSW asked people to do it.

“Now, we don’t have a clear idea of true numbers of positive Covid cases."

The Lismore App will keep you updated on this issue as more information comes to light.