New data from the Department of Health and Social Care shows that nine in ten pharmacies across England are now distributing free rapid lateral flow tests for people to collect and use at home.

The new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service provides an additional route to regular testing, making it as easy as possible for people without coronavirus symptoms to access testing twice a week. The service is available to people aged over 18 without symptoms, who are able to visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of seven rapid tests to use twice a week at home.

An online checker has launched so people can find their nearest pharmacy offering free rapid test kits.

All pharmacies that sign up to deliver the service will receive a set-up fee and a transaction fee every time a member of the public collects a kit.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Pharmacies make an invaluable contribution our health service – they have gone above and beyond in response to Covid-19 to serve their communities. Now, they will play a key role in our rapid testing programme, which is a vital tool in reopening society in the months ahead.

“I have been delighted at the level of interest and how fast the response has been from pharmacies to take part, with nine in 10 registering to offer rapid test kits within 10 days. This new service will make it even easier for people to access rapid testing twice a week. The testing only takes 30 minutes and will help people stop the spread of the virus – protecting families and communities and saving lives.”

New analysis by NHS Test and Trace shows lateral flow (LFD) tests to have a specificity of at least 99.9 per cent. This means that for every 1,000 lateral flow tests carried out, there is fewer than one false positive result.