OLYPHANT, Pa. — As you prepare to visit with loved ones this holiday season, pharmacists say over-the-counter at-home rapid tests should be something you pack with you.
Eric Pusey is the owner and pharmacist at Medicap Pharmacy in Olyphant.
He says home rapid tests are in high demand.
"Really since mid-November, the demand has been unbelievable. We literally probably get 50 to 60 calls per day, besides the people walking in," Pusey said. "See if the testing is available, seeing if there are any test. It's sad, but that's the status that we're in right now."
Pusey says he's hoping to have more ahead of the Christmas holiday next week.
"They might be available from our wholesaler in limited quantities of 12 at a time, and when we do order them, that's all we can order, and we haven't had an order availability for the last seven days. So we just sold our last test, and we just have no more at this point," he explained.
With demand so high, pharmacists say if you do get your hands on one, you should test yourself one to two days before or the day you plan to gather with family and friends regardless of your vaccination status.
"Last year, we were just so happy that we were able to go see our families. This year, we have more tools. You know, hopefully, if these become more readily available, we can do it safer cause there's really no way to know if you were exposed to covid or not to get preventative before the holidays if you can find some rapid tests," said pharmacist Wayne Stephens of Stephens Pharmacy.
Stephens has tests now, but it'll cost you.
"We have two kits they are about 36 roughly dollars for a two-pack, and next week, it might be less, depending on the market and where we're buying them from. We just basically pass them through at cost so the community can have them," he said.
Pharmacists say it's important to remember that rapid tests are not 100 percent effective in results.
But it is one way to ensure your doing your part.
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