With the availability of free lateral flow tests ending tomorrow in England, diagnostic healthcare company Everything Genetic has announced a deal that will see its “affordable” lateral flow devices stocked in Tesco’s stores and online.
Everything Genetic’s £2 kits will be stocked in over 1,500 Tesco stores across the UK from 1 April. Coinciding with the in-store launch, the tests will initially be available for online customers in London, before being rolled out online nationwide from May onwards.
The tests have recently received approval under the UK Health Security Agency’s Medical Devices Regulations 2021 (CTDA). The approval permits the sale of the devices to the UK public and comes after the government unveiled plans to reduce the number of free tests it provided during the pandemic, as part of its ‘living with Covid-19’ strategy.
James Price, Everything Genetic’s CEO, believes the partnership with Tesco will help to bring down the cost of testing, especially for those worried about having to pay for tests after 1 April.
Price said: “The gradual easing of the UK’s Covid restrictions has brought with it a subsequent rise in cases across the country, especially in recent weeks. As a result, thousands of individuals across the UK will still want the peace of mind that the fast, efficient and accurate LFT devices can provide.
“Although Covid tests won’t be free after April 1st, the importance and demand for using them to accurately gain a rapid insight into our health will continue for some time. The very nature of the tests mean they can be used at-need to provide a fast, efficient and reliable result of positivity.
“As the kits will now be positioned in convenient Tesco retail locations up and down the country, they’ll be readily available at a moment’s notice for anyone wanting to get tested.”
