A Gold Coast company is set to import up to 4 million COVID-19 rapid antigen tests each week — providing a less accurate but faster 15-minute result — as pathology tests continue to be delayed and rationed across Australia.
Gold Coast-based Hough Pharma imports rapid antigen tests from its manufacturing partner, Biohit Healthcare in China. Up to 4 million extra 15-minute rapid antigen COVID-19 tests will be imported to Australia weekly by Gold Coast-based Hough Pharma.“We are now bringing in two plane loads a week of rapid antigen tests. We have done so since November,” Ms Robinson said.
Hough Pharma is the sole Australian distributor of the Chinese-manufactured Hough COVID-19 Home Test, one of 15 rapid antigen tests approved by the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration. Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland president Chris Owen said negotiations with another supplier meant 500,000 extra rapid antigen tests would be available from chemists in the state from January 6.