How many LFD test kits do you have in stock?
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In response to the new COVID-19 variant Omicron, updated Government recommendations to test to manage periods of risk and the likelihood of an increase in social events during the festive period, community pharmacy contractors could start to experience an increase in demand for Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits.
Contractors are therefore encouraged to review stock levels and where there is space to store additional cartons of test kits within the pharmacy, consider placing additional orders to ensure their pharmacy teams can meet demand over the next couple of months.
While in most cases, contractors have been receiving their orders for test kits within 24 hours, the service level agreement (SLA) associated with delivery of test kits from Alliance Healthcare means deliveries can take up to three working days. As we approach the busy Christmas and New Year period, same or next day delivery should not be relied upon.
This is a busy period for pharmacy teams and Alliance Healthcare and both will be experiencing increased demand for medicines and other products too. As part of contingency planning, the UK Health Security Agency will use Parcel Force to support with any increase in deliveries needed that cannot be supported by Alliance Healthcare. Parcel Force also has a similar SLA for delivery, so contractors should bear this in mind when planning their stock holding to support the service over the coming months.
Contractors are reminder that their pharmacy teams can order one carton of test kits each day (Monday to Saturday). Where a pharmacy team experiences any supply issues obtaining test kits, in the first instance please contact Alliance Healthcare customer service support: customerservice@alliance-healthcare.co.uk or call 0330 100 0448.
Should pharmacy teams wish to discuss this further with the NHS Test and Trace, or think they may struggle to maintain stock availability, please email pharmacy.collect.queries@dhsc.gov.uk.
