A few weeks ago, the corona rapid test centers were very busy.
But that has changed in the meantime.
The pharmacies react.
Berlin (dpa) - Due to falling demand for corona tests, Germany's pharmacies want to limit their range.
Because the number of fully vaccinated is increasing and infection protection rules have been relaxed, the need for tests is decreasing, said a spokesman for the Abda pharmacists' association in Berlin.
He also pointed out that the federal government pays less than before. "This means that it is no longer economical to carry out the tests for a number of pharmacies." The range of tests will therefore probably be getting smaller step by step. Alongside private companies and state institutions, pharmacies are among the most important test center operators.
According to Abda estimates, around 20 to 25 percent of pharmacies offer so-called citizen tests - that is, rapid tests that are free for consumers and paid for by the federal government. Originally, the pharmacies, like all other providers, received up to 18 euros per antigen test carried out, now the federal government only pays up to 12.50 euros. In the corona pandemic, spring tests were key to ensuring that people with a negative result could visit restaurants or shops. However, the number of infections is now so low that loosening takes effect and visits to restaurants or shopping are permitted even without a test result. In addition, completely vaccinated people are exempt from test requirements.
Figures from the NRW Ministry of Health show how much demand is falling. On Thursday (June 17) there were 306,000 rapid antigen tests via the test centers in the state. Of those, 216 were positive - a percentage of 0.07 percent. A week earlier there were 498,000 tests in one day (positive: 0.08 percent), a month earlier 594,000 (positive: 0.23 percent). The number of test sites in North Rhine-Westphalia was recently stable at 9236 - it will probably decrease in the future.
One of the private providers is CoviMedical from Dillenburg in Hesse. In addition to antigen tests, the company, which was founded at the end of 2020, also offers PCR tests. According to its own information, the company has 1,500 employees, almost all of whom come from the event industry, which has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic. The company emphasizes that the pandemic is not over yet. "We are therefore convinced that, despite higher vaccination rates, we will still need comprehensive tests in the next few months to ensure safety, for example at events or trips."
The provider Centogene from Rostock does not rely on antigen tests, but on PCR tests - for example at airports. The demand has currently decreased, says board member Volkmar Weckesser. "But we expect that it will now increase again as people travel again." In addition, one must be prepared for the increasing number of infections in autumn.
The Association of the Diagnostics Industry, which represents manufacturers of tests, assumes that the demand for antigen tests in the test centers will drop significantly in the summer. The manufacturers will "of course adjust to a permanently falling demand," said an association spokeswoman. But they are working on tests that could detect both influenza and coronavirus disease. Such tests could help in the fall, should there be a flu wave and the number of corona infections rise again. The association appeals to politicians not to reduce test capacities too quickly.
At the end of May, allegations of fraud against private operators of test centers in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia became known.
The providers are said to have billed a lot more tests than were actually done.
Investigations by the public prosecutor's offices were opened against the suspects.
As a consequence, the Federal Ministry of Health announced stricter monitoring requirements.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210620-99-67087 / 2