The appropriate use of Rapid Antigen Detection Tests (RADTs) as part of the COVID-19 response has been the subject of ongoing debate and discussion. PSI is aware that a number of pharmacies are providing these tests, either through in-pharmacy testing or by supplying tests in kit form. This notice sets out the current PSI Position in relation to COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Detection Tests (RADTs) and community pharmacies.
Patients and the public trust pharmacies, and pharmacists, to provide accurate and evidence-based healthcare advice in the community. This is particularly important during the pandemic when pharmacies are playing such an important and frontline role, including acting as sources of reliable information to the public on COVID-19. It is highly important to the public that this trust is protected and that pharmacies maintain their position and reputation as professionally led healthcare services, offering objective information and scientifically valid and reliable healthcare services and advice. This obligation extends to the supply and/or provision of testing and advice in relation to COVID-19 RADTs.
Given the evolving nature, and ongoing challenges, of COVID-19, the PSI expects that Superintendent Pharmacists, as the key professionals responsible for governance and leadership in community pharmacies, will inform themselves fully of the most up-to-date scientific and public health advice in relation to COVID-19 RADTs before supplying these testing kits or providing testing services. This includes carrying out a thorough risk assessment to ensure that any proposed COVID-19 testing service is appropriate to, and safe to be provided at, any particular pharmacy premises.
As trusted health professionals, every pharmacist providing or supervising COVID-19 testing services and/or the supply of testing kits, must ensure they are following the most up to date and reliable scientific and public health advice in what can be a rapidly changing public health situation. In particular, pharmacists should be able to advise on the correct use and limitations of these tests in the asymptomatic population, which is the population presenting in pharmacies.
The PSI
Code of Conduct states that as a pharmacist, you are expected to always apply your knowledge, skills and evidence-based decision making to ensure that patients receives safe and effective care. Pharmacists are expected to use their professional knowledge, competence and scientific understanding of medicines, health related products and medicinal and non-medicinal therapies for the benefit of patients, and must always provide honest, relevant, and accurate information to patients regarding the nature, cost, benefits and risk of medicinal products, non-medicinal products and services.
Any testing service provided in a pharmacy, whether for COVID-19 or any other disease or condition, must be provided in line with the PSI
guidance on providing testing services in pharmacies. The PSI expects that all testing services provided by pharmacists will be accurate, clinically valid and provided in line with current public health advice and good practice. Any testing service should only be offered, or performed, by pharmacists where there is an established clinical and scientific evidence base and for which the validity, accuracy and reliability of the test(s) can be assured by appropriate quality assurance. At the conclusion of a consultation for a testing service, patients should have received all the necessary information and counselling about their results, the significance of their results and any further action advised. This advice should be in line with the latest scientific guidance and public health advice on the correct use of antigen testing in asymptomatic patients.
The position outlined above is based on the information currently available. As the role and use of COVID-19 RADTs may be subject to change in keeping with the public health response to the pandemic, PSI will keep this matter under review and will update our position as circumstances evolve.