Albertans may struggle to find free at-home COVID-19 tests – and might need to pay for the ones they do find – now that the province’s stockpile is distributed, and the federal program is over.
Ottawa’s free COVID-19 rapid antigen distribution program, which supplied provinces and territories with the kits, ended on Oct. 1, and there are no plans to replenish the inventory.
Alberta Health confirms its entire stock has gone out to pharmacies.
“Although supply may be limited, there are still a number of pharmacies across Alberta that continue to have a supply,” the ministry said in a statement, directing people to a map on the Alberta Blue Cross Inventory site.
“If Albertans are unable to find a pharmacy offering free-of-charge rapid antigen tests, they may choose to purchase a testing kit from a pharmacy or an online retailer.”
Heba Elbayoumi, the pharmacist and owner at Heathers Pharmacy on 10 Street N.W. in Calgary, …