COVID-19 Testing Available at Tofield RX PharmaChoice

COVID-19 Testing Available at Tofield RX PharmaChoice

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Any pharmacy in the province that wants to participate and is able to meet the safety requirements can now offer testing to Albertans who have no symptoms and no known exposure to COVID-19.

That announcement was made public on July 30. According to a government press release, “The expanded pharmacy testing follows the success of Alberta’s pilot program launched in June. An initial group of pilot pharmacies safely tested more than 10,300 Albertans, increasing testing capacity and helping support a safe relaunch.”

Alberta Health is encouraging Albertans to reach out to a participating pharmacy for more information about how to arrange a test. A list of participating pharmacies is available through Alberta Blue Cross, (ABC).

Tom McMillan, Assistant Director of Communications for Alberta Health, said, “More than 20 pharmacies were initially participating in the pilot. These were pharmacies who volunteered. Under the pilot, the number of pharmacies conducting COVID-19 testing was limited to ensure supplies were distributed effectively. The pilot allowed program processes to be tested and refined.

Any pharmacy that wants to participate should visit the Alberta Blue Cross website for more information on the program and the enrolment process. Pharmacies can begin asymptomatic testing once they are enrolled and receive test supplies from Alberta Precision Labs. Alberta Precision Labs will be working on a first-come first-served basis to meet enrolment requests. The program’s enrolment process ensures that pharmacists can safely and securely perform tests and receive test results. Supplies will be provided based on the needs and capacity.”

Tofield RX PharmaChoice was the only rural pharmacy in Alberta to participate in the pilot. Proprietor and Pharmacist Darren Erickson said they have been conducting tests since mid-July. Public response has been good, and pharmacists have been testing between eight and 12 people a day. As far as inquiries, they are averaging 10 per day.

Erickson is expecting the number of tests to increase in the coming weeks with the start of school fast approaching. He points out that anyone who is asymptomatic must phone ahead to book an appointment with the pharmacy which helps to mitigate risks to staff and other customers.

“As front line health professionals, pharmacists are seeing the effects of that this virus is having on our community. As the most accessible health professional, we are on the front line in this fight. The eradication of this virus will take time, education, testing, and possibly a vaccine when available. Pharmacists, with their skills and knowledge, will lead in many areas of this fight. One of the areas that we have started is asymptomatic testing. This means testing of patients without symptoms or travel in the previous two weeks.”

Erickson expects testing to expand to his other location in Tofield, Guardian Pharmacy next week. He said Alberta Health is adding about five pharmacy locations daily in Alberta. “The reason for the testing is to get a baseline of asymptomatic positives and to catch these cases early before transmission.”

Early detection is extremely important, added Erickson, as even a few days can mean all the difference in limiting the spread of the virus. “Many employers and public personnel are encouraging staff testing. We have coordinated this with covid education for the public and fellow businesses.”