Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato indicated that he would consider lifting the ban on purchasing the new corona antigen test kit, which is currently not allowed, on the Internet.
Antigen test kits for the new coronavirus that have been approved by the government cannot be purchased online because the law requires a face-to-face explanation by a pharmacist in Japan.
Regarding this, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Kato said at a press conference, ``Since September last year, the government has made adjustments to allow it to be purchased at pharmacies as an exception, and has made efforts to make it easier for many people to obtain it.However, pharmacies are available on holidays and at night. There are many cases where it is closed, and we have received many requests to make it easily available on the Internet."
On top of that, he said, ``On the premise that it will be secured at the medical site with priority, we would like to proceed with earnest consideration so that it will be easier for the people who need it to obtain it.'' He showed the idea of promoting consideration in the direction of opening and lifting the ban.
Former Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Goto "Reflection that it was possible to respond a little more in advance"
Goto Former Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare said at a press conference announcing his resignation, "The demand for antigen test kits has risen in a blink of an eye. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has reflected on whether it would have been possible to respond a little more in advance. It was an important issue,” he recalled.