NHS lateral flow test service extended and fee increased
The NHS lateral flow device test service in community pharmacies has been extended and the fee has been increased, it has been announced.
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NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have confirmed that the community pharmacy NHS lateral flow device tests supply service will continue to be commissioned as an advanced service through 2025/26.
And the fee for provision of the service has increased from £4 to £4.10, as of 1 April 2025.
The walk-in service introduced in 2023 provides eligible at-risk patients access to lateral flow tests for home use.
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Patient representatives can collect one box of five tests from participating pharmacies upon confirmation that the patient is part of the eligible cohort.
Patients do not need to have symptoms of Covid-19 to obtain a free box of test kits under the service.
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The service was first unveiled in October 2023 by NHS England pharmacy director Ali Sparke who suggested the move recognised the range of services community pharmacies could provide.
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