Big Retail Chains Set to Roll Out Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests

DIY at-home COVID-19 testing using over-the-counter (OTC) test kits that don’t require a prescription is likely to become the new norm. With that clearly in mind, three of the country’s largest pharmacy chains announced plans to start selling COVID-19 tests that can be performed at home. CVS Gets the Jump CVS Health Corp. was one of the first out of the gate when it began selling OTC COVID-19 tests in mid-April. Initially available to residents of Rhode Island and Massachusetts for in-store purchase, CVS says that tests will be available in all CVS stores nationwide by the end of May. Specifically, it plans to sell the: Ellume COVID-19 Home Test (costing $30 per test); Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test ($23.99 per test); and Pixel by Labcorp PCR Test Home Collection Kit ($119 per test). The pharmacy giant also plans to sell these OTC kits online. Walgreens and Walmart Join the Fun Separately, both Walgreens’ Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc. announced that they, too, plan to begin selling OTC COVID-19 tests, specifically the Abbott BinaxNOW antigen test, in stores and online.