• Self-tests are a form of do-it-yourself antigen testing.

  • This device has been deployed in pharmacies since April 12.

    But it struggles to make itself known, and some pharmacists are worried about its inappropriate use.

  • 20 Minutes

    went to pharmacies in the Paris region to find out more.

A few steps from the Beaujon hospital, in Clichy, north-west of Paris, the pharmacy of doctor Jean-Yves Fournet has been selling self-tests since April 12. It is since that date that pharmacies have offered patients these antigenic tests, which complete the arsenal of screening against the coronavirus epidemic in France. Reimbursed for people working with the elderly, they are sold at 6 euros. A capped price which, by May 15, will drop to 5.20 euros.

But the demand does not seem to be there.

In his pharmacy, Jean-Yves Fournet indicates that since the start of their marketing, he has only sold a dozen of them.

And at the national level?

Liberation recently indicated that according to the DGS, half of the pharmacies have already sold it.

Jean-Yves Fournet must also demonstrate pedagogy.

“Just yesterday, I was called twice to ask me what to do and if it was possible to come back to the pharmacy to confirm the result”.

"The major fear is that the positive results will go under the radar"

The self-tests are intended for people over 15 years of age who do not have symptoms of Covid-19 and are not in contact. But that, not everyone knows. "People who want to buy it do not meet these criteria," confirms Gilles Bonnefond, president of the Union of community pharmacists' unions. People are wrong. I think the message from the public authorities has gone badly ”. Another information often ignored by the general public: "these tests are only of interest if they are carried out once or twice a week", in order to detect the virus at the onset of the disease, adds Gilles Bonnefond.

This tool will also be widely used in the coming weeks with high school students, as announced by Jean-Michel Blanquer last week.

"This could allow an increase in the use in families", hopes the president of the Union of trade unions of dispensing pharmacists.

But with a risk: that people whose self-test is positive do not go further in their efforts.

"The major fear is that the positive results will go under the radar."

Pharmacists remind each time what to do: if the test is positive, isolate yourself and perform a more reliable PCR test.

Without forgetting the other danger: "These self-tests must not turn into a 'pass' to party and forget the barrier gestures," recalls Gilles Bonnefond.

Pending deliveries

There is therefore no crowd on the buyers side.

But on the supply side, some pharmacies are still not delivered.

"We pre-ordered from the Biosynex laboratory two weeks ago," explains Esther Boman, doctor at the Landy Pharmacy, still in Clichy.

All the self-tests were requisitioned by the State.

They are out of stock, so we are waiting ”.

Not far away, at the Pharmacie de l'Avenir, it's the same thing.

: "They announced too quickly, we have no news from the organization that was to provide us", we are told on the spot.

Society

Coronavirus: The Scientific Council recommends self-tests in schools from the start of the school year

Health

Coronavirus: How to do your self-screening test?

  • Covid 19

  • Health

  • Coronavirus

  • Screening

  • Pharmacy