Walgreens Makes Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Self Test Available Over-The-Counter at Stores Nationwide
April 19 2021 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
Test to be available for $23.99 without a
prescription, to allow for greater access to testing, and together
with vaccines, help to restore a sense of safety in everyday
settings where people gather
As part of Walgreens ongoing efforts to increase access to
COVID-19 testing in communities across the U.S., the company
announced today it has entered into an agreement with Abbott to
sell the BinaxNOW™ Rapid Antigen Self Test over-the-counter in
Walgreens stores nationwide. Beginning this week, this test will be
available for purchase on Walgreens.com, and later this week, it
will be available for purchase in-store, for curbside pick-up, and
same day delivery. This test will be available nationwide for
$23.99 (MSRP).
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BinaxNOW™ Rapid Antigen Self Test (Photo:
Business Wire)
“Even as vaccines become more widely available, COVID-19 testing
remains a critical tool to keep our communities safe. The addition
of this over-the-counter test in-store will help ensure our
customers have access to testing solutions when and how they need
it – at home or at one of our conveniently located testing sites,”
said John Standley, president, Walgreens. “Working with Abbott and
other partners, Walgreens now offers the most comprehensive suite
of COVID-19 diagnostic testing options in America, helping
encourage consistent, widespread testing.”
Walgreens has made significant strides to increase on-site
COVID-19 testing capacity at more than 5,500 Walgreens pharmacies,
with more than half of these locations located in socially
vulnerable areas. By May, Walgreens will expand testing to 6,000
drive-thru testing sites with half of these sites offering the
no-cost, rapid Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test. This announcement
builds upon Walgreens commitment to provide greater access to
testing, helping reduce the spread of COVID-19 and improve the
health of communities.
“The BinaxNOW Self Test opens the door for Americans to buy an
accurate and affordable test on their own terms, when and where
they need it,” said Andrea F. Wainer, executive vice president of
Abbott’s rapid and molecular diagnostics business. “Together with
vaccines and like-minded partners such as Walgreens, we can help
people get back to doing what they love – like spending time with
friends and family.”
Customers can self-administer the test collection using a short
nasal swab (not the deep and invasive nasopharyngeal swab) and
check test results in 15 minutes. The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test
is the most studied rapid antigen in the U.S., having first been
approved in the U.S. for professional use in August 2020. The Self
Test is the identical format and technology as the professional
test and will come in a two-count box to meet the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration’s (FDA) serial (frequent) testing requirements
for non-prescription, over-the-counter purchase.
According to the manufacturer’s instructions for use, people
using the test should test themselves twice with at least 36 hours
between tests. The test can be used on children as young as two
years old when samples are collected by an adult and for all people
aged 15 years or older. Individuals who test negative should
continue to stay cautious, including following social distancing,
hand washing and wearing a mask. Individuals who test positive are
encouraged to follow the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which is to communicate your
results to your healthcare provider, who is responsible for
reporting your test results to the state health department.
On March 31, 2021, Abbott received U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for
over-the-counter, non-prescription, asymptomatic use of its
BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test for detection of COVID-19 infection.
This new indication allows individuals with or without symptoms to
have access to this test without a prescription. Walgreens is one
of the first mass retailers to make Abbott’s test widely available
for purchase.
The BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Antigen Self Test is a lateral flow
immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid
protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 from individuals with or without
symptoms or other epidemiological reasons to suspect COVID-19
infection when tested twice over three days with at least 36 hours
between tests. This test is authorized for non-prescription home
use with self-collected direct anterior nasal (nares) swab samples
from individuals aged 15 years or older or adult collected anterior
nasal swab samples from individuals aged two years or older.
The BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag tests have not been FDA cleared or
approved. They have been authorized by the FDA under an emergency
use authorization. The tests have been authorized only for the
detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or
pathogens, and are only authorized for the duration of the
declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization
of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or
diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food,
Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the
declaration is terminated or authorization is revoked sooner.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the Retail Pharmacy
USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), a
global leader in retail and wholesale pharmacy. As America’s most
loved pharmacy, health and beauty company, Walgreens purpose is to
champion the health and well-being of every community in America.
Operating more than 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a
neighborhood health destination serving approximately 8 million
customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in
the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy
and healthcare services. To best meet the needs of customers and
patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with
platforms bringing together physical and digital, supported by the
latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in
local communities nationwide.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210419005269/en/
Emily Mekstan Walgreens Media Relations media@walgreens.com
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