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Ambiguities in corona rapid tests: Doctors and pharmacists in Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen are criticizing

2021-03-01T08:07:37.427Z


Many hopes rest on corona rapid tests. But there is still confusion in many ways. Doctors and pharmacists in the district always feel taken by surprise.


Many hopes rest on corona rapid tests.

But there is still confusion in many ways.

Doctors and pharmacists in the district always feel taken by surprise.

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen -

Three corona rapid tests for self-implementation were approved in Germany last Wednesday - and should now be available in pharmacies and discounters.

"Because of the media reports, customers have been asking for it for weeks," says Christopher Hummel, spokesman for the pharmacist in the district.

But Christopher Hummel himself didn't know on Friday whether he would have them in stock in his two pharmacies in Heilbrunn and Gaißach this Monday.

In any case, the market launch was not well thought out.

"For the time being, the tests are only available in containers of 20," says Hummel.

“But which layperson needs 20 pieces?” He couldn't say anything about the selling price either.

“In general, you have to welcome it when more is tested,” says Hummel.

With the rapid tests, however, one must be aware that they do not have the reliability of PCR tests.

The antigen tests are only “snapshots”.

"These tests are not suitable as admission permits for attending a concert or a cinema."

Dr.

Jörg Lohse, family doctor from Münsing

That is why Dr.

Jörg Lohse, family doctor from Münsing: "These tests are unsuitable for admission to a concert or a cinema." year old mother test.

Against this background, Hummel also advocates the pharmacy as a suitable point of sale.

There, the necessary advice for the classification, correct implementation and responsible handling is guaranteed.

"If the test is positive, it is imperative that you inform your family doctor or the health department and have it clarified with a PCR test," emphasizes Hummel.

Another topic is Health Minister Jens Spahn's plan that all citizens can have a free rapid corona test carried out by trained staff free of charge.

That was announced for March 1st - until Chancellor Angela Merkel whistled back to her health minister.

This is now to be discussed at the Prime Minister's Conference on March 3rd.

There are still many unanswered questions about free corona rapid tests in pharmacies

The pharmacists are “professionally prepared” and “ready and willing”, says Hummel.

But in his opinion there are still too many unanswered questions.

“What is the connection to the authorities like?” He gives an example.

"Who do I notify if a test is positive?

Or how can I issue a certificate if the test is negative? ”It is also unclear where the tests are allowed to take place.

“Are customers allowed to go to the back of the pharmacy?

Or do you have to put up a tent in the parking lot? ”Hummel says he has ideas of how and where he could carry out quick tests on himself.

"But that has to be legally secured beforehand."

Dr.

Matthias Bohnenberger, chairman of the "Tölzer Family Doctors", is happy that the free rapid tests will not be introduced on March 1st.

"Thank goodness the federal government backed down," he says.

The plans are namely "not fully fermented" - for example, what concerns the remuneration.

"A good test - we have one from Roche, for example - costs us 10 euros to buy," says the doctor from Tölz.

However, the doctors should only receive 9 euros per test - although they would also have expenses for protective clothing and expenses for testing and issuing certificates when testing.

Corona rapid test at the family doctor currently still costs 30 euros for patients

Patients currently have to pay themselves if they have a rapid corona test carried out by the doctor.

He is currently being asked, for example, "by the timber truck driver who drives to Austria and needs the test to cross the border," says Bohnenberger.

"Or also before visiting the senior citizens' home."

5 to 15 rapid tests a day come together, reports his Münsingen colleague Dr.

Lohse.

30 euros would then be due from him.

“We have been demanding that they be free of charge for months,” he says.

Nevertheless, the framework conditions are still lacking for rapid introduction.

"When everything is cleared up," says Lohse, "we general practitioners are happy to support it."

In the district, Dr.

Jörg Lohse also works as a medical coordinator in fighting pandemics.

As such, he has just organized the introduction of a home call service for corona vaccinations for very frail seniors.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-03-01

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