Demand for RATs growing in WA as health economist says they should be made free

As the eastern states grapple with a huge shortage of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), WA health authorities are being urged to prepare for when COVID enters the community.
A ban on the sale of the tests will be lifted next week, but details on how the public will access them are yet to be announced.
Research from Flinders University has found there are economic benefits to be gained from making them free.
“The people taking the tests, they’re not really getting any benefit from the test,” Professor Jon Karnon said on 6PR Mornings.
“They’re going to develop the symptoms. The benefit is to other people who will not get COVID because these people take earlier action to prevent the spread.
Press PLAY to hear more from Professor Jon Karnon below
6PR resident pharmacist Andrea Aird said the pharmacy industry in WA is experiencing an increasing amount of inquiries as to where they can source RATs.
“We’re getting multiple queries everyday,” she said on 6PR Mornings.
“We’ve faced huge fines if we actually sold them, so that’s meant WA’s at the back of the queue in terms of trying to source these tests.
“So we’re hoping that we’re all going to have stock when it becomes legal next week … but it’s all jsut a bit of a waiting game at the moment.
“And we just feel that we’re definitely at the back of the queue.”
Press PLAY to hear more from Andrea Aird below
Image: iStock by Getty