Self-tests can no longer be sold in supermarkets from Tuesday, February 15.
No self-test in your shopping cart. Indeed, the sale of self-tests in supermarkets had been exceptionally authorized at the end of December by the government until January 31, to cope with the influx of requests, was then extended for two weeks. This system ends on Tuesday. “The sale of self-tests outside pharmacies is a time-limited derogation, initially set up from January 6 to 31 and then delayed to February 15. Retailers have been kept informed of these terms to facilitate the management of their stocks”, explains the Ministry of Health to the JDD this Sunday, February 13.
Great success of self-tests sold in supermarkets
Nearly 17 million were sold by large retailers between December 28 and January 16, according to the latest figures from panelist NielsenIQ, for 25 million euros in turnover.
The sale of self-tests in supermarkets had annoyed pharmacists, while large retailers often offered these self-tests at a much lower price than in pharmacies. Pharmacists denounced in particular the disappearance of their advisory role with this self-service sale. Several unions had signed a joint press release with the Order of Pharmacists at the end of December, recalls the JDD.
For its part, the government had justified its decision by the explosion in demand for tests during the holidays and the significant circulation of the virus.
Lower price of self-tests in pharmacies
From this Tuesday, February 15, their price is set at 3,25 eurosindicates the Union of Community Pharmacists (USPO), before a further reduction of a few tens of cents scheduled for March 15warns Le Figaro.
Demand for self-tests is now expected to weaken as the number of cases drops.
