After being able to order Lateral Flow Tests (LFTS) free of charge for over two years, Scots will now have to fork out cash to check if they are positive for Coronavirus.
The move came as the last of the lockdown restrictions were lifted across Scotland earlier this month.
The government advised that lateral flow tests were no longer required for those showing no symptoms.
LFTs remain available to a limited group of people in Scotland.
You can still order LFTS if you are:
- a fully-vaccinated close contact of a positive case
- self-isolating – you can end self-isolation early by testing negative on day 6 and 7
- visiting a hospital or care home
- an unpaid carer
- eligible for Covid treatments
If you are eligible, you can still order Lateral Flow Tests from the government online here.
But for those who now have to pay for LFTS, there are questions of where they can be purchased and what they now cost.
Here is where you can buy LFTs in Scotland.
Pharmacies
Since the lifting of Covid restrictions, LFTs have been sold in all high street pharmacies.
A spokesperson for Superdrug said: "Superdrug has seen a 35% uplift in sales of lateral flow tests, compared to the previous week.
"Tests are supplied from an authorised UK distributor that sources direct from the manufacturer.
"Tests are CE marked, approved by the UK government as well as by numerous other international healthcare agencies (WHO, FDA, EU common list etc) and have an accuracy of 98.8%, sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 99.5%."
Superdrug are selling LFTs for the following prices and can be purchased online :
- A single Lateral Flow Test - £1.95
- 5 pack of Lateral Flow Tests - £9.59
- 25 pack of Lateral Flow Tests - £47.59
Boots
- A single Lateral flow Test -£2
- 2 pack of lateral flow tests - £3.95
- 4 pack of lateral flow tests - £7.90
- 5 pack of lateral flow tests - £9.80
- 25 pack of lateral flow tests - £49
LFTs can be bought from Boots here.
Lloyds pharmacy
Lateral flow tests at Lloyds pharmacies come at £1.89 for a single tests and £9.29 for a pack of five, both in-store and online - making them the cheapest on the list.
Supermarkets
Sainsbury's
Lateral Flow Tests have also been selling in England in all major supermarkets and are now available in Scottish branches.
A spokesperson for Sainsburys said: "Lateral flow tests are currently available in all our supermarkets and online.
"Customers can pick up a pack of 5 lateral flow tests for £9.50."
Sainsburys currently stock FlowFlex rapid tests, the same as those sold in Superdrug.
This means they are CE marked, with government and healthcare agency approval.
Tesco
LFTs can be purchased in store as single tests only and are £2 each.
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